As you get to know the most famous sculptures in Rome, know that you are about to embark on an epic undertaking.
The historic center of Rome was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. The Eternal City includes architectural and artistic evidence for some 3,000 years of history, and of course, there are hundreds of interesting statues in Rome worth noting and visiting.
In this article, you will find a guide to the best sculptures and statues of Rome from ancient to contemporary times.
Even if you only have a few days to visit Rome, with a little organization, you will be able to see many of them live.
The artworks I mention in this article include statues and Roman busts, fountains, and stunning sculpted architectural elements.
Some of these masterpieces you meet on the classic itinerary of discovering the historic center of Rome, such as the bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius.
Others, like Michelangelo’s Moses, are preserved in churches beyond the beaten tourist trails.
Some of Bernini’s sculptures, such as those decorating fountains, you find in piazzas, others, such as the Abduction of Proserpine, inside museums.
Most Famous Sculptures in Rome
1 Moses
Michelangelo Buonarroti, the Renaissance artist known worldwide for his frescoes on the vault of the Sistine Chapel, was above all an exceptional sculptor.
It is said that when Michelangelo finished his sculpture preserved in Rome’s Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, it was so perfect that the sculptor struck it repeatedly on the knee shouting, “And now you should speak!”
Michelangelo sculpted the Moses to decorate the tomb of Pope Julius II. The sculpture portrays Moses at the moment when he realizes that his people worship gods other than his own after coming down from Mount Sinai bearing the tablets of the law.
His face expresses anger, the muscles of his arms are tense, and the marble robe seems like a linen tunic that follows the movement of his leg.
To admire this sculpture by Michelangelo, one must visit the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli on the Oppio Hill, just 500 meters from the Colosseum.
2 Piety
When Michelangelo was still young, in 1497, the cardinal Jean De Bilheres Lagraulas commissioned him to create “the most beautiful work of marble in Rome” and the artist took up the challenge.
Michelangelo pulled out the “Piety” from a single block of Carrara marble in which he had glimpsed the image of the Virgin Mary holding the body of her son.
It was a very rare thing at that time to carve sculptures in the round with more than one subject.
There is a deliberate complementarity between the abundance of the folds of the Virgin’s dress and the width of her figure and the emaciated body of her son, whose head is recumbent. The figure of the woman welcomes and gently cradles with all the piety and pain of a mother the lifeless body of Jesus.
What is considered by many to be the most valuable sculpture in Rome is kept inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
3 Apollo and Daphne
The sculpture of Apollo and Daphne is considered Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s masterpiece.
Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of the reigning Pope Paul V, gave Bernini the opportunity to demonstrate his skill with the chisel by sculpting four groups of statues to be displayed in the Borghese Palace:
- Apollo and Daphne
- Aeneas and Anchises,
- Abduction of Proserpine
- David
Bernini’s sculptures precisely represent the crucial, most dramatic moment in the characters’ lives. In the case of Apollo and Daphne, this is the moment when the nymph Daphne begins to turn into a tree.
The dramatic story of Apollo and Daphne is told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The god Eros wanted to curse the god Apollo out of spite and therefore created two magical arrows. One arrow was intended to make people fall in love, while the other to make them fear to love. The first arrow struck Apollo, and the second the nymph Daphne. Apollo chased Daphne for a long time, but she escaped him, begging her father to turn her into anything that could save her from Apollo.
The moment sculpted by Bernini is precisely when Apollo holds Daphne around the waist, and she, looking both frightened and surprised, begins to turn into a tree.
Apollo and Daphne is one of the most famous statues in Rome, you can admire it at the Borghese Gallery, located inside one of the best public parks in town.
4 The Abduction of Proserpina
Gian Lorenzo Bernini created this artwork between 1621 and 1622. The sculpture depicts the moment when Pluto, the god of the underworld, abducts Proserpina, the daughter of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture.
The sculpture is a representation of the mythological story that tells how Pluto fell in love with Proserpina and, with the help of his three-headed dog Cerberus, kidnapped her and took her to the underworld. The sculpture is located in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, Italy, it is considered one of the highlights of the gallery’s collection and of one of the best things to see in the Borghese Gardens.
The sculpture is remarkable for its lifelike quality and the sense of movement it conveys. Bernini masterfully captures the moment when Pluto’s fingers sink into Proserpina’s flesh as she tries to escape his grasp. The folds of Proserpina’s dress and the texture of her hair are rendered with exceptional detail, while the muscles in Pluto’s arms and legs are taut with the effort of holding onto his captive.
The sculpture is a stunning example of the Rome’s Baroque style, which aimed to create emotional and dramatic works of art that would move the viewer.
The “Abduction of Proserpina” is a testament to Bernini’s skill as a sculptor and his ability to create works of art that are both beautiful and deeply moving.
5 The Ecstasy of Saint Theresa
In 1645 Cardinal Federico Cornaro entrusted Bernini with the design of the family sepulchral chapel in the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.
Bernini decided to make the sculpture representing an ecstatic moment in the life of the Spanish saint the centerpiece of the chapel.
To illuminate Saint Theresa’s face, he had a window placed on the wall of the church.
Before giving life to one of the most famous statues in Rome, the artist must have read the Autobiography of Saint Teresa. In there, the saint recounts a mystical experience that is defined in Catholicism as “transverberation” and that occurs when an angel or Christ pierces the heart of the saint with a dart.
The work is made of marble and gilded bronze.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers is located in the center of one of the most picturesque squares in Rome, Piazza Navona. In 1648, Pope Innocent X commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to design the fountain, which was intended to decorate the square where the palace of the Pamphili family stood. The pope himself belonged to the Pamphili family.
The basin of the fountain is located almost at street level. On a large sculpted travertine marble rock, the Obelisk of Domitian rises, which is in turn surmounted by a dove, a symbol of the Pamphili family.
On the four corners of the huge rock, there are four figures inspired by the art of Michelangelo (in fact, they recall the characters portrayed in the Sistine Chapel) and by classical statues. They represent the four longest rivers known at the time:
- Danube
- Ganges
- Nile
- Rio de la Plata
According to art historians, this fountain expresses a declaration of the supremacy of the papacy over the four continents then known.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers is one of the maximum well-known works of artwork in Rome and an image of papal power.If you visit Piazza Navona to admire the fountain, you will also find two other fountains with beautiful sculptures: the Fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of the Moor.
7 Barcaccia Fountain
The so-called fountain of the “Barcaccia“, which translates more or less as “Bad Boat” was carved in travertine by the father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, namely Pietro Bernini.
The representation of the boat storing water contrasts with the upward thrust of the Spanish Steps, making Piazza di Spagna one of the most elegant squares in Rome.
Tradition has it that the subject represented was inspired by an episode that occurred during the flooding of the Tiber in 1598. One of the boats transporting wine to the nearby Ripetta Harbour ran aground just at the point where the fountain was placed.
The episode had so impressed Pope Urban 8, who had commissioned the fountain to Bernini’s father, that the sculptor decided to immortalize it.
Another less romantic hypothesis has it that Pietro Bernini decided on this particular shape because the pressure of the water coming from the Virgo Aqueduct at that point was very low.
You will get a chance to see the Barcaccia fountain during your visit to the Spanish Steps, which is definitely on your list of things to do in Rome.
8 Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
The historical records of late imperial Rome tell of the presence in the city of 22 equestrian statues, made larger than the actual size of the characters (equi magni). The only one of these statues that has come down to us is the bronze monument to Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
The statue must have been made as a public dedication on the occasion of the military victory over the Germanic peoples in 176 AD, or in 180 AD, after the death of Marcus Aurelius. Not much else is known about the origin of this Roman-era statue.
In 1538, Pope Paul III of the Farnese family ordered the statue to be moved to the Capitoline Hill, the seat of the city’s authorities.
As soon as Michelangelo Buonarroti arrived in Rome, the Senate commissioned him to restore and reposition the statue of Marcus Aurelius.
The sculptor then made it the pivot of the Piazza del Campidoglio that he was redesigning and there the statue remained until 1970, when, to prevent it from being damaged, it was moved to the Capitoline Museums and replaced with a copy.
9 Colossal head of Constantine
The Colossal Head of Constantine is part of the remains of a Roman statue about 12 meters high, which is exhibited at the Capitoline Museums. The statue was originally located in the Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum. The basilica had been erected by Maxentius in the 4th century A.D. but was later completed by his rival Constantine. The building, like other basilicas of the Roman era, housed public life, in this case, the judicial activities of the prefect of the city.
As with other sculptures of the time, the parts of the body were made of marble while the clothes were made of stucco or wood and therefore have been lost.
10 Capitoline she-wolf
One of the most famous Roman statues is the Capitoline she-wolf, also known as the “statue of Romulus and Remus.”
This statue is still a symbol of the city of Rome today. The statue depicts a life-size she-wolf in the act of suckling two infants. One can recognize in the statue a representation of the legend of Romulus and Remus, part of the myth of the founding of Rome.
The twins were sons of the god Mars and Rea Silvia. The woman was a vestal daughter of Numitore, king of Alba Longa, a village that was located near Lake Albano in the Roman countryside.
When Numitore’s throne was usurped by his brother, the twins were placed in a basket and given to the River Tiber. The basket reached the foot of the Palatine Hill, where a she-wolf intercepted it and decided to take the twins to safety and nurse them in a cave.
The she-wolf statue is kept in the Capitoline Museums. As with the previous statue, it was thought for centuries to be much older than it actually is.
Radiocarbon dating has established that it dates back to the 13th century and is therefore medieval, as suggested by the casting technique used. The statues of the twins are instead an add from the 15th Century.
However, the Roman historian Tito Livio narrates the presence of two statues of the Capitoline she-wolf in the 3rd century BC, one on the Capitoline Hill and one in the Cave of Lupercale (where it is said that the she-wolf raised Romulus and Remus) on the Palatine Hill.
The depiction of the she-wolf with the twins also appears on Roman coins. Almost throughout the duration of the empire was the she-wolf considered the symbol of Rome, or rather, the favor of the gods (she-wolf) towards the Roman people (the twins).
11 Lady of the Flavian Age
The “Hall of the Emperors” in the Capitoline Museums houses 76 Roman busts depicting emperors and members of the imperial family.
The identity of the subjects portrayed is in some cases uncertain, also because in the classical era, there was a tendency to represent public figures of a certain rank in the canonical positions with which the divinities were also portrayed.
If you are not fond of Roman history, perhaps you could get bored scrolling through all the busts, but surely you will be fascinated by one of the most beautiful works in the room: the bust of Dame of the Flavian Age, also called “Fonseca”, from the 2nd century AD, of uncertain author.
12 Statue of Julius Caesar
Inside the Imperial Forums, near the ruins of what used to be the Temple of the Divine Julius, there is a bronze statue of Julius Caesar. The statue is 3.35 meters tall and is a faithful copy of an ancient Roman sculpture in marble, which is now displayed at the Senatorial Palace on the Capitoline Hill.
The casting of the copy was made at the Laganà Artistic Foundry in Naples in the 1930s. The bronze statue replaced the original one in 1936 during the fascist regime. Julius Caesar is portrayed in military attire and commander’s cloak in a composed, proud but balanced pose.
To see the copy of the famous Roman sculpture up close, you need to purchase an entrance ticket to the Imperial Forums.
As for the original marble sculpture, dating back to the 1st century BC, it is only possible to visit it during rare extraordinary openings to the public of the senatorial palace. Inside the Imperial Forums, there are three other statues of Roman emperors.
- Augusto
- Nerva
- Traiano
13 Trajan’s Column
Trajan’s Column is a monumental structure that stands forty-two meters tall in the Imperial Forum in Rome. The column was erected in 113 AD to commemorate Emperor Trajan’s victories in Dacia (present-day Romania) and is famous for its spiral bas-relief that winds around the shaft of the column for more than 180 meters. The column was designed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus and is considered a masterpiece of Roman art.
The column’s frieze depicts Trajan’s two military campaigns against the Dacians and features over two thousand figures in sixty scenes. The emperor is featured prominently throughout the narrative, which begins with the preparation for war and ends with the defeat of the Dacians. The frieze is methodical in its chronology and compositional quality, and the figures are depicted with great detail and precision.
The column is made up of eighteen gigantic Parian marble blocks, each weighing about 40 tons, and is reached by a spiral staircase of 185 steps. The interior of the column takes light from 43 open slits on the historiated frieze spiraling 23 times along the shaft, with 150 scenes.
Trajan’s Column represents one of the absolute masterpieces of sculptural art of all times, and it is also one of the most important historical landmarks in Rome.
The column was initially crowned with a statue of an eagle, but after Trajan’s death, it was replaced with a six-meter-high gilded bronze statue of the Emperor himself. The ashes of Trajan and his wife Plotina were placed in the burial chamber at the base of the column.
In 1587, the statue of the Emperor was replaced again by Pope Sixtus V with the statue of St. Peter still placed at the top of the column.
Trajan’s Column is a testament to the power and grandeur of the Roman Empire, and a remarkable example of the artistic and architectural achievements of the time.
It remains a popular tourist attraction to this day and a symbol of the enduring legacy of Rome.
You can admire one of the most famous ancient Roman sculptures from the end of Via dei Fori Imperiali that leads onto Piazza Venezia.
14 Giant foot sculpture
Exploring the streets of Rome’s historic center near the Pantheon, you may come across the sculpture of a giant foot with a sandal.
We are at the intersection of Via del Pié di Marmo (which translates to “marble foot street”) and Via di Santo Stefano del Cacco. This is probably a fragment of the colossal statue that was in the Temple of Isis and Serapis in Rome.
The temple, which was very popular in Roman times, stood in the place now occupied by the Church of Santo Stefano del Cacco, built in the 9th century.
The sculpture of the left foot, 123 cm long, probably belonged to the statue of Egyptian Isis. A base and a sandal, like those used in Roman times, which wraps around the foot, are carved in a single block.
To admire it, simply go to Via di Santo Stefano del Cacco.
15 Pignone (Giant pinecone)
The story related to the large bronze pinecone located in the courtyard of the Vatican Museums is lost in various Roman legends.
One of these legends states that it originally belonged to the Temple of Isis and Serapis in Rome, where it functioned as a fountain.
According to another legend, the pinecone in ancient times “plugged” the oculus of the dome of the Pantheon. When the Pantheon was transformed into a Christian church in the 6th century, pagan demons flew away through the dome, taking the bronze pinecone with them.
According to another tradition, the pinecone was located on top of the Mausoleum of Hadrian and contained the ashes of the Emperor.
The sculpture is 4 meters high and 2.5 meters wide and dates back to the 2nd century AD. It is located in a “privileged” place in the Vatican Museums called the Pinecone Courtyard.
To access the sculpture, there is a double staircase designed by Michelangelo.
In the same courtyard, there is also a contemporary sculpture that we will see shortly.
16 Laocoon
The sculpture depicts the Trojan priest Laocoon, who had opposed the entry of the wooden horse into Troy, being enveloped and suffocated together with his children by sea serpents sent by the goddess Athena. Athena was allied with the Greeks during the Trojan War.
The work simultaneously expresses beauty, energy, and pain, all concentrated on Laocoon’s face and on his tense body.
It is said that the sculptural group was found during an archaeological excavation at the Esquiline Hill in Rome in 1506. For many centuries it was believed to be a Greek work of the first century BC.
Contemporary art critics have raised serious doubts about the dating of the statue. Greek sculptors would never have represented a priest nude and by highlighting his muscles and physical strength, which is what a Renaissance sculptor would have done.
Is this not a work of Michelangelo Buonarroti himself?
To admire the Laocoon, you must go to the Vatican Museums.
17 Mouth of Truth
As you explore Rome, Italy, make sure to pay a visit to the famous “Mouth of Truth” or La Bocca della Verità, a marble mask that is believed to have been part of an ancient Roman fountain or possibly used as a drain cover near the cloaca maxima, one of the oldest sewers in the world.
Located at the portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, this sculpture measures 1.75 meters in diameter, attracting thousands of visitors each year. With its mysterious open mouth, wide eyes, and hollowed nostrils, it has piqued the interest of many for centuries.
Its popularity increased after its appearance in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
In the movie, a tradition was introduced where visitors would place their hand inside the mouth of the sculpture, and if they were to tell a lie, it was believed the sculpture would bite down on their hand. While this practice may be fictional, it created an appealing sensation, leading more tourists to visit and partake in this playful tradition.
The origin and purpose of the Mouth of Truth remain unclear today, but various theories exist:
- The Drain Theory: It is believed that the sculpture may have been part of a Roman fountain or drainage system.
- The Water Clock: Some historians suggest it was used as a decorative element in an ancient water clock.
- The Pagan Icon: Others speculate it represented a pagan god, perhaps a river god or Oceanus, the divine personification of the sea.
Despite the mysteries surrounding the Mouth of Truth, it is a must-see attraction when you visit Rome. Enjoy the enigmatic sculpture, its legends, and its famous cinematic history.
18 Pasquino
While you stroll through the streets of the historic center you might come across the famous talking statue of Rome, “Pasquino”. Situated in a small square near Piazza Navona, this ancient statue has been an iconic symbol of popular expression and satirical humor since the 16th century.
Pasquino is an ancient Roman sculpture discovered by chance in 1501 during construction works. Although its real origin and subject are unclear, Pasquino could represent a character from mythology or even a real person. The statue has undergone several restorations and is now missing parts of its limbs and other features.
Locals in Rome transformed Pasquino into a stage for critical messages, jokes, and satirical verses. The tradition, which started in the 16th century, persists today, allowing people to voice their opinions, complaints, and observations on various social and political issues. This practice gave rise to the term “pasquinade” which refers to any satirical composition or lampoon posted in public.
The famous Pasquino statue is just one of several talking statues in Rome. Others include:
- Babuino
- Madama Lucrezia
- Marforio
- Abbot Luigi
- Facchino
As you enjoy your tour through Rome’s artistic masterpieces, be sure to visit Pasquino, where people continue to express themselves in unique and creative ways.
This fascinating tradition truly adds a special character to the city of Rome.
You’ll find the most famous talking statue of Rome in Piazza di Pasquino.
19 Sarcophagus of the Spouses
The National Etruscan Museum of Rome houses one of the most precious works of Etruscan funerary art, the Sarcophagus of the Spouses, dating back to 520 BC. The sarcophagus was discovered in one of the noble tombs of the monumental Banditaccia Necropolis in Cerveteri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 30 km away from Rome.
The work has been reassembled from about 400 fragments. The unknown Etruscan artist used a mixture of handwork and moulding to create the sarcophagus, which contained the remains of the deceased.
The figures are portrayed in the act of feasting. Banquets were held on the occasion of funerals, even inside the burial chambers. It was customary among the Greeks and Romans to participate in such banquets while lying on sofas called “triclinium”.
Sarcophagi are considered among the finest elements of Etruscan funerary art. Etruscan sarcophagi are preserved in many museums in Italy and around the world.
As in other Etruscan sarcophagi preserved at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the importance of the woman in the Sarcophagus of the Spouses is impossible to ignore.
The spouses are portrayed on the same level, with their heads close together. The man is shown slightly approaching his wife with his arm, placing her at the center of the scene in a dominant position.
20 Etruscan Apollus
This little-known statue deserves a place among the most famous statues in Rome.
The Apollus of Veio was found during excavations at the Etruscan sanctuary of Apollo in the territory of what today is the Veio Regional Park.
Together with the statue representing God Apollus, all in fragments, there were three other life-size statues (about 180 cm): Statue of Hercules, Statue of Hermes (Mercury), Statue of Artemis holding the “deer with golden horns.”
All four statues were originally located on the roof of the temple, 12 meters high. The scene represented the struggle between Apollo and Hercules for the deer of Artemis, who was Apollo’s sister. Hermes’ function was to pacify the conflict.
The statue of Apollo is in colored terracotta, the different parts of the body were first created individually and then baked together, in the 6th century BC. The god is represented in a dynamic pose as he takes a step. The face is the typical face of Etruscan deities, with orientalizing features. The hair is gathered in long braids that fall on the shoulders.
The attribution of the work is uncertain. For some scholars, it was Vulca, the most famous Etruscan sculptor. For others, it was the Master of Apollus, belonging to Vulca’s workshop. To see the statue of the Apollo of Veio, go to the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia.
21 Sculptures of the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain gained worldwide fame thanks to its appearance in the 1960 film ‘La Dolce Vita‘, in which actress Anita Ekberg famously takes a bath in the fountain and is rescued by Marcello Mastroianni. The fountain occupies the back of the Palazzo Poli and is located in the Piazza di Trevi, which looks very small compared to the size of the sculptures.
The history of the Trevi Fountain spans more than 2,000 years. The first, large and simple basin was placed here because it was the final part of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, a hydraulic work led by Agrippa in 19 BC.
Starting from the 16th century, several architects and sculptors took turns in designing the fountain after the popes decided to make it “monumental”. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Nicola Salvi, Giuseppe Pannini, and Pietro Bracci are just some of the artists who participated.
The appearance of the fountain is very impressive due to its large basin, which represents the sea. In the central niche, the God Ocean steps from a cliff accompanied by two figures on horseback representing the two aspects of the sea: one agitated and the other calm. In the side niches, two female figures represent the two characteristics of the water brought there by the aqueduct: Salubrity and Abundance.
The sculptures are the work that made artist Pietro Bracci, who lived in the 18th century, one of the most famous Roman sculptors.
22 Holy Child of the Ara Coeli Church
The Holy Child of the Ara Coeli is an effigy thought to be miraculous that is carefully preserved in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. The effigy was carved from wood from Gethsemane by a Franciscan monk in the late 15th century.
Legend has it that the statue proved miraculous right from the start. After sculpting it, the friar searched for colors with which to paint it but could not find them. Before going to bed, the friar prayed to God to help him find some colors. When he woke up the next morning, the sculpture of the Holy Child was already painted by the will of divine providence.
When the friar was called back to Rome by his superiors, he took the sculpture with him. Unfortunately, a terrible storm hit the boat on which he was traveling, and the friar was forced to leave the Holy Child at sea. When he arrived at the port of Livorno, he turned out to sea and saw a miracle: the sculpture was floating toward him, untouched.
The Holy Child was brought to Rome by the friar and was taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, where the Nativity scene was prepared every year. The Holy Child was received in Rome with great fanfare, and as soon as he was exposed to the public, many flocked to beg for graces.
Over the centuries, the Chapel of the Holy Child has been visited by millions of pilgrims, and on the Feast of the Epiphany, all the Roman faithful flock to the Capitoline Hill to receive the blessing of the Holy Child.
23 Paolina Borghese
Canova finished the work in 1808. Canova never made any secret of his technique: he created a plaster sculpture before his students began sculpting the marble block.
When the work was almost finished but still to be roughened, Canova would add the finishing touches by smoothing the stone with ever finer abrasives until the desired effect was achieved.
In addition to the smoothness of the sculpture’s surface, it is worth noting the fidelity with which the sculptor reproduced the cushions and the mattress.
The sculpture takes up the theme of the beds sculpted on the sarcophagi of the Etruscan age with the legs lengthened and the bust raised, in the typical position of the banquet.
Paolina Borghese by Canova is exhibited in the Borghese Gallery, which is part of the Borghese Gardens. In there, you’ll be able to admire many other famous Italian sculptures as well.
24 Ciboria of Arnolfo di Cambio
The ciborium is one of the architectural elements that distinguish Christian Basilicas, a tabernacle with four columns that shelters the altar where the Eucharist is held.
At the end of the 13th century, Arnolfo di Cambio, a sculptor and architect native to a Tuscan village, sculpted two precious ciboria in Rome, one in the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere and one in the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura.
The Basilica di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura is one of the most underrated basilicas in Rome but absolutely a must-see if you venture out to explore the Ostiense district.
25 Angel of Grief
As you continue your quest for famous art in Rome, another sculpture that might capture your attention is the Angel of Grief. This beautiful marble sculpture is located at the Protestant Cemetery, where it adorns the grave of the English sculptor William Wetmore Story’s wife, Emelyn.
Created in 1894 by Story himself, the sculpture depicts an angel weeping over a broken column, symbolizing a life cut short. The level of detail in the sculpture, from the angel’s tears to her flowing drapery, showcases the heartache and delicate grief the artist must have felt while creating this emotive piece.
The Angel of Grief is highly sought-after among art enthusiasts, due to its powerful portrayal of emotion and exceptional craftsmanship. It has become a popular subject for photography and has inspired many replicas around the world.
To experience the depth and beauty of this sculpture for yourself, be sure to visit the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. While it may seem an unusual destination, the cemetery’s lush greenery and impressive tombstones make for an unforgettable, serene experience.
26 Statue of Giordano Bruno
Near the short side of Campo dei Fiori Square, from which Via dei Giubbonari St. starts, there is the statue of Giordano Bruno.
Giordano Bruno is one of the major philosophers of the Renaissance. He was born in Nola, a village near Naples, in 1548 and died in Rome at the hands of the Catholic Inquisition on February 17, 1600.
The statue stands right at the point where the philosopher was burned at the stake after years of imprisonment, punished for not retracting his blasphemous thesis. Giordano Bruno has become a symbol of free thought and an individual thinker independent from religion. He dedicated his life to philosophy put into practice and lived in different places in Italy and Geneva, Switzerland.
For Giordano Bruno, the study of philosophy could not ignore the study of nature, which was itself God. He believed in the existence of infinite universes, and infinite solar systems, and that the Earth was not the center of the Universe. He considered religious thought a symbol of stupidity.
It is precisely to remember this freedom of thought that cost him his life that the students of the University of Rome La Sapienza founded, at the end of the 19th century, a committee for the realization of the monument in Campo dei Fiori.
The statue, cast by the sculptor Ettore Ferrari, represents the philosopher in his last moments of life, with his head covered by a hood and a book in his hand, with a dark but determined face. On the day of the statue’s inauguration, a procession of about 20,000 people from Termini Station headed to Campo dei Fiori Square to celebrate the event.
27 Statue of Trilussa
In the beautiful city of Rome, Italy, you can find many captivating sculptures scattered across various piazzas and parks. One such remarkable creation is the Statue of Trilussa, located in Trastevere, the neighborhood popular among foodies in Rome.
The statue is dedicated to Trilussa, a beloved Roman poet known for his dialectical poems that described life in early 20th-century Rome, portraying the people’s virtues and vices. Born as Carlo Alberto Salustri in 1871, “Trilussa” was an anagram of his last name.
Commissioned in 1954, a few years after Trilussa’s death, the four-meter (13-foot) high sculpted monument was gracefully created by artist Lorenzo Ferri. As you observe this splendid sculpture, you would notice Trilussa’s serene expression and the tablet in his hand, indicating his devotion to poetry.
What makes the Statue of Trilussa a must-see in Rome is not just its artistic beauty but also its location in Trastevere. Lying along the banks of the Tiber River, this charming neighborhood is renowned for its narrow, cobbled streets and lively atmosphere. While visiting Trastevere, make sure to explore its many attractions, such as:
Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere: one of the oldest churches in Rome, with beautiful mosaics and artwork
Piazza di Santa Maria: a bustling square lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops
Botanical Gardens: a lovely, serene haven for nature enthusiasts
While strolling around Trastevere, take a moment to admire the Statue of Trilussa and reflect on the rich history and culture of Rome captured in the poetry of this popular Italian poet.
28 Books’ Fountain
As you stroll through Rome, you’ll come across the Books’ Fountain, a beautiful hidden gem dedicated to literature and knowledge. Situated in front of the Madama Palace, this interesting sculpture showcases the city’s appreciation for the written word and is a must-visit for avid readers and art enthusiasts alike.
The Books’ Fountain features a series of books carved from stone and the head of a deer., The municipality of Rome commissioned the fountain to sculptor Pietro Lombardi in 1927 on the occasion of the plan that each of Rome’s 22 districts should have a fountain representing it.
The fountain is located on Via degli Staderari in the Rione Sant’Eustachio, whose symbol, is a deer.
The mastermind behind this piece is Pietro Lombardi, who created it in 1927.
While admiring the intricate details of the sculpture, you’ll notice various water spouts carefully integrated into the design. These elements add a sense of whimsy to the urban environment, further accentuating the blending of art and practicality found throughout Rome.
29 Statue of Goethe
When visiting Rome, Italy, your trip won’t be complete without visiting the Borghese Gardens, one of the most beautiful parks in Rome. While strolling through this beautiful park, take a moment to appreciate the Statue of Goethe, a notable sculpture dedicated to the famous German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
The statue presents Goethe in a seated position, diligently working on his writings. German sculptor Gustav Eberlein crafted this masterpiece in 1904 to commemorate the poet’s time spent in Italy from 1786 to 1788. During his stay, Goethe was truly inspired and wrote some of his most prominent works, including the well-respected “Italian Journey.”
Located near the entrance of the Borghese Gardens, the statue is a stunning bronze depiction of Goethe surrounded by allegorical figures representing his literary and artistic inspirations. The base is adorned with an intricately carved relief showcasing scenes from Goethe’s “Faust”, one of his most influential works.
Embrace the magnificence of the Goethe statue and its surroundings as you explore the Borghese Gardens, a treasure trove of culture and natural beauty in the heart of Rome.
30 All Potential Targets
In Piazzale Ostiense, in the southern part of the historic center, there is the group of statues “All Potential Targets.”
This contemporary statue in Rome was created in 1995 by Emilio Loffredi from iron, steel, bronze, and mirrors.
The work consists of 5 silhouettes, each with a sight and chained together, looking at their reflected image in mirrors. The 5 silhouettes represent 5 categories of people persecuted during the Nazi-Fascist era in Europe: homosexuals, gypsies, Jews, immigrants, and political opponents.
Next to the work, there is a plaque explaining its symbolism. The artwork signifies that every man is a potential target of persecution, and therefore we must remember to defend human and civil rights.
31 Sphere no. 1
Sphere no.1 is the work of the 20th-century artist Arnaldo Pomodoro and is preserved in the Pine Courtyard in the Vatican.
The statue, cast in bronze, is part of the “Sphere Within a Sphere” series that Pomodoro has placed in various parts of Italy and the world. It is a rather enigmatic work, with philosophical meaning, a sphere with a “crack” from which another, internal sphere containing complex gears can be seen. The sphere moves with the blowing of the wind.
Wrap – up Most famous statues in Rome
It is complicated to draw up a selection of the most famous statues in Rome, as they are truly countless and all interesting.
During your trip to the Eternal City, try to see at least a few Bernini sculptures, the most famous sculpted fountains, and ancient Roman statues in museums.
Contemporary sculpture, on the other hand, will surprise you as you discover Rome’s neighborhoods off the beaten path.
Hunting for artistic works is definitely the most fun thing to do in Rome for travelers of all ages.
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