Inspiration behind the best 7 famous world statue

No other feeling quite compares to that of walking down the streets and being struck by attention by a work of art. It could be a beautiful statue or a horrific sculpture that incite conversations and awe.

It is remarkable how these creatively designed statues and sculptures make a city unique. After Wow! The first question that pops into my head is what inspired the sculptor to come up with this magnificent piece?

Let us discover the story behind the following famous statues:

When you think of Brazil, one of the things that undoubtedly pops into your head is this statue. The Art Deco statue overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Christ the Redeemer statue atop the Corcovado mountain, is a model of Christ with His arms extended forming the shape of a cross. Some argue that it is Christ extending His arms for a hug.

The monument came to be as a symbol to counteract what followers believed was increasing godlessness in the country.

In 1920, they chose Brazilian architect, Heitor da Silva Costa’s design of a statue of Christ. Initially, the design was that of Christ carrying a large cross on one hand and a globe on the other. He eventually settled for Christ with arms extended noting that He should face the rising sun.

He imagined the statue to be the first thing the residents saw emerge from the darkness at dawn. At dusk, the city dwellers would have a view of the setting sun as a halo behind the statue’s head.

Hug or cross, the Christ the Redeemer statue made it to the Seven Wonders of the World list in 2007.

The statue has endured wind and rain and undergone several restorations. Christ the Redeemer was illuminated to mark the 2010 FIFA World Cup and to commemorate the victims of the November 2015 Paris attacks.

The Statue of Liberty is an enduring icon of freedom located on Liberty Island in Manhattan. Its full name is Liberty Enlightening the World.

The statue is that of a robed woman representing the Roman goddess of freedom Libertas. She holds a torch on her right hand above her head. On her left arm, she carries a tablet inscribed the date of the U.S Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) in Roman. At her feet lies broken shackles of tyranny and oppression. One foot is raised moving forward.

It was a gift from the people of France to the U.S given to mark the 100 years anniversary since the declaration. French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi designed the statue. French law professor and politician Edouard Rene de Laboulaye inspired him.

Laboulaye had proposed that a great monument should be presented to the U.S. This would be done to celebrate the abolition of slave trade and the union’s victory in the American Revolution. Laboulaye hoped the statue would also have an impact on the people of France to fight for their democracy under the repressive monarchy of Napoleon III.

Lady Liberty was the first thing immigrants saw in the second half of the 19^th century coming by boat. The statue has undergone some reformations since its 1886 dedication. A new copper torch covered in 24K gold leaf replaced the statue’s torch.

The statue was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It's seven spikes on the crown represent the seven continents of the world depicting the universal concept of liberty.

The Shoes on the Danube Bank in Hungary tell a moving story. The sixty pairs of shoes honor the Budapest Jews who were ordered to take off their shoes before being shot into the river. This happened during the Arrow Cross terror in World War II. The memorial was erected on April 16, 2005. It was created by film director Can Togay and the shoes designed by sculptor Gyula Pauer.

This horrific fountain sculpture is seated above ground with a baby half stuffed in the ogre’s mouth. It has a sack filled with three more toddlers dangling over its shoulder.

The sculpture is one of the oldest fountains in Bern, Switzerland. It was built in 1546 and no one really knows the true story behind it.

A number of speculations have come up because of this. The main ones include:

• People believe that it serves as a warning to the Jewish community who lived there at the time. This is due to the yellow pointed Jewish hat the ogre wears.
• The ogre represents Kronos, the Greek Titan. Kronos eats up all his children to keep them from taking over his throne.
• It acts as a lesson to disobedient children. Disobedient kids get to be eaten by the monster. A clever way for parents to keep their children in line.

This monster sits undisputed in one of the best travel destinations in the world. It has terrified kids for over 500 years and remains unchallenged to date.

The sculpture really sends a very powerful peace message.

This was a creative work of art by Carl Fredrik Reutersward. He created it as a memorial tribute to John Lennon. It was to honor Lennon’s vision of a world at peace. At the time, John Lennon was a public advocate of non-violence and peace. The legendary singer was shot and killed in 1980 outside his home in New York.

The Government of Luxembourg later donated the bronze sculpture to the United Nations headquarters in New York. It has since had replicas in the Olympic Museum, Lausanne and Peace Park, Beijing.

The Manneken Pis statue may not be majestic but it sure gets many people to stop and stare.

The peeing boy is a bronze fountain statue located in Brussels, Belgium. It is about 24 inches tall. Hieronimus Duquesnoy created its original version in 1619. The current one dates back to 1965.

Manneken Pis is arguably the most dressed statue. He is adorned in assorted costumes per week. His wardrobe is managed by a non-profit organization who review submitted clothing designs annually.

There are many stories about the inspiration behind this statue. Some include:

• A tourist dad who lost his son in the city. He received help from the residents. As a token of appreciation, he had the statue built.
• During a siege of the city, a daring boy saved the residents from a ploy to a bombing by peeing on the explosives.

Whichever story tells the tale best, the Manneken Pis is definitely one statue you would not want to miss out.

This statue undoubtedly speaks to us all. We all have something that we struggle with to reach our full potential. It could be fear, addiction or anything else that holds us back.

The bronze wall sculpture is an inspiration by itself. Its creator Zenos Frudakis said that the sculpture was about the struggle to achieve freedom through the creative process.

It is located at 16^th and Vines Street, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. The journey to freedom is illustrated through four statues.

Another interesting thing for people to discover is in the background. A cast of coins that represents the relationship between art and money and numerals for his birth date.

Which of the following statues do you find most appealing?

Is there a public statue that you would like to unveil the inspiration behind it?

Kindly let me know in the comments section below.