10 Most Famous Surviving Greek Sculptures
Greek civilization was tagged classical because many of their contributions are still widely patronized by many.
Ancient Greek arts have contributed much to our civilization particularly in the areas of sculpture and architecture. Their art have influenced the world over up to the present although much of their works have been destroyed and only a few survived. Here are the ten most famous surviving Greek sculptures.
Aphrodite de Milos (Venus De Milo)
The statue of Aphrodite de Milos is regarded as the most beautiful model of a woman’s body. It is at present on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is an ancient Greek statue and one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture. It was created between 130 and 100 BC, it is believed to depict Aphrodite (called Venus by the Romans), the Greek goddess of love and beauty. It is a marble sculpture, slightly larger than life size at 203 cm (6.7 ft) high. Its arms and original plinth have been lost. This contributed to the mystery of the sculpture. It is believed to be the work of Alexander of Antioch
Winged Victory of Samothrace
This sculpture is also called the Nike of Samothrace. It is a third century B.C. marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory). Since 1884, it has been prominently displayed at the Louvre and is one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world. The work is notable for its naturalistic pose and for the rendering of the figure’s draped garments, depicted as if rippling in a strong sea breeze, which is considered especially compelling.
Laocoon and His Sons
The statue of Laocoon and His sons is also called the Laocoon Group. It is another monumental marble sculpture housed in the Vatican Museums in Rome. The statue is attributed by the Roman author Pliny the Elder to three sculptors from the island of Rhodes: Agesander, Athenodoros and Polydoros. It shows the Trojan priest Laocoon and his sons Antiphantes and Thymbraeus being strangled by sea serpents.
Bronze Sculpture
This Bronze Sculpture is thought to be either Poseidon or Zeus created about. 460 B.C. It is now housed at the National Archeological Museum in Athens. This masterpiece of classical sculpture was found by fishermen in their nets off the coast of Cape Artemisium in 1928. The figure is more than 2 m in height.
Diadumenos
This statue is a copy of Polycitus’ Diadumenos located in National Archeological Museum in Athens. The Diadumenos which means diadem-bearer is one of the most famous figural types of Polycitus that present strictly idealized representations of young men in a convincingly naturalistic manner.
The Diadumenos is the winner of an athletic contest at a game, still nude after the contest and lifting his arms to knot the diadem, a ribbon-band that identifies the winner and which in the bronze original of about 420 BCE would have been represented by a ribbon of bronze.
Venus Braschi
This statue is the so-called Venus Braschi by Praxiteles, a type of the Knidian Aphrodite. It is housed in Munich Glyptothek.
The Marathon Youth
The Marathon Youth is another work of art by Praxiteles. This bronze statue was probably created about 4th century BC. It is located at the National Archeological Museum, Athens.
Statue of Hermes
The Statue of Hermes is created possibly by Pypsippos. It is currently housed at the National Archeological Museum in Athens.
The Charioteer of Delphi
The Charioteer of Delphi in Delphi Archaeological Museum is one of the greatest surviving works of Greek sculpture, dating from about 470 B.C. Part of a larger group of statuary given to the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi by Polyzalos, brother of the tyrant of Syracuse, this bronze in the Early Classical style is one of the few Greek statues to retain its inlaid glass eyes.
Statue of Zeus and Ganymede
The terracotta statue of Zeus and Ganymede, in Olympia Archeological Museum was found in Olympia and believed to be executed around 470 BC. The terracotta is painted.
Greek sculpture was focused on the human body. The above examples were manifestations that Greek sculptors have perfected human anatomy. Every detail of the body curvature was very well presented.
For more arts related articles see
The World’s Most Unique Public Art Masterpieces
10 Simply Unique Porcelain Art Pieces
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38 Comments
Glynis Smy, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
Thanks for the history lesson,good pictures
eddiego65, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
I like studying ancient history. Thanks for the lesson!
mae, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
I have always enjoyed the Greek mythology. Looking at their sculptures made me think that they could had really existed. Thanks for sharing this.
Shergill, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
Great work, well presented.
I wish I knew a little more about history.
Juancav, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
Good job,wonderful legacy of the Greeks.
jimminy, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
where’s the Critean Boy, perhaps the first great work of sculptural naturalism?
Lauren Axelrod, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
I would love to see these in person. They are quite magnificent. Great piece.
dragonbaby, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
I am simply amazed the terra cotta statue of Zeus and Ganymede is still around considering how brittle the medium used.
A wonderful selection of statues and pictures. Thank you for sharing them.
Alexa Gates, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
those are beautiful!- from an art perspective
Ruby Hawk, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
An education in art. thanks for all the information. Well done, Ruby
claris, posted this comment on Sep 22nd, 2008
very historical and educational, it speaks with your interests
PR Mace, posted this comment on Sep 22nd, 2008
I love art and with it your were also educational. Good job.
CHAN LEE PENG, posted this comment on Sep 22nd, 2008
Informative, educational and impressive!
C. Jordan, posted this comment on Sep 22nd, 2008
“Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.”
quiet voice, posted this comment on Sep 24th, 2008
..Hi nobert, very interesting, thanks
so much for your effort, good job.
Take care.
Hein Marais, posted this comment on Sep 24th, 2008
Great 
Allison Jae, posted this comment on Oct 3rd, 2008
I love anything on Greek history. Well done.
jelly ace, posted this comment on Oct 21st, 2008
i think i want to see those,,,, i’m your #1 fan
Liane Schmidt, posted this comment on Oct 21st, 2008
Extraordinary statues, wonderful article!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Yommama, posted this comment on Oct 28th, 2008
Gay………………….
kuya edgar ng307 men st ice vendor, posted this comment on Oct 29th, 2008
wow what a pretty buy ice on my ice
pokeyness, posted this comment on Nov 1st, 2008
I never knew that art could be so impressive!
youngbear, posted this comment on Nov 5th, 2008
You have chosen the best greek surviving statues!The only one you have forgotten is Nike, placed in Louvre.
Thank you, I have enjoyed this article
smiley face : ), posted this comment on Nov 5th, 2008
ewww
hi, posted this comment on Nov 17th, 2008
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Queenie Bee, posted this comment on Jan 2nd, 2009
excellent!:)
asswhipe, posted this comment on Feb 3rd, 2009
the pictures are mostly of naked people.why?
Smiley!, posted this comment on Feb 15th, 2009
They are mostly naked and this disturbs me.
fsdulbh f, posted this comment on Feb 16th, 2009
yukky
booger, posted this comment on Mar 19th, 2009
i dont like the nude pics
me, myself, and I, posted this comment on Mar 19th, 2009
this is from three people
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww……….w.
dumb BLOND, posted this comment on Mar 19th, 2009
ew and nasty
shameek, posted this comment on Mar 19th, 2009
i guess its kinda cool but kinda lame
softball lover, posted this comment on May 3rd, 2009
that is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo gross to many winky dinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subrina Jill, posted this comment on May 3rd, 2009
very insightful article, loved the history
swapan, posted this comment on May 6th, 2009
something celestial
bo the builder, posted this comment on May 8th, 2009
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Unofre Pili, posted this comment on Sep 21st, 2008
Well-presented reminders as to how great the Greeks were.