Do you know the famous horse sculpture in the world? Throughout the course of human history, horses have always been loyal companions and important symbols. They play crucial roles in war, agriculture, transportation, and culture. To commemorate these great creatures, many awe inspiring horse sculptures have been erected around the world, which are not only artistic expressions but also witnesses to history. Here are the top ten famous horse sculptures in the world, each of which is a perfect fusion of art and history. Let’s step into the stories and legends behind these sculptures together.
1. The Bronze Horseman
The bronze horse sculpture, symbolizing the history and power of the Guardians of St. Petersburg, Russia, is about 5 meters high and weighs about 20 tons. It is located on the Decemberist Square in St. Petersburg. This sculpture is not only a symbol of Peter the Great, but also a manifestation of the expansionist will of the Russian Empire. French sculptor Étienne Maurice Falcone spent 12 years completing this work. During World War II, in order to prevent the sculpture from being destroyed by the German army, the Soviet people buried it and only reopened it after the war.
2. Ma Ta Fei Yan
The treasure of ancient Chinese art, the dynamic artistic miracle of Ma Ta Fei Yan, was unearthed from a tomb in the Eastern Han Dynasty and is now collected in the Gansu Provincial Museum. This bronze sculpture is about 34 cm long and 45 centimeters high. The horse’s posture is agile, with its four hooves rolling as if galloping in the air. The lightness of the flying swallow contrasts sharply with the strength of the horse, showcasing a high level of artistic skill.
3. Leonardo’s Horse
The unfinished masterpiece of the Renaissance, the sculpture “The Steed” designed by Leonardo da Vinci, was originally intended for Duke Ludovico Sforza of Milan, but due to various reasons, he was unable to see it completed during his lifetime. Until 1999, according to Leonardo da Vinci’s manuscript, this 7-meter-high sculpture was completed in Milan and became a symbol of Renaissance art.
4. Trojan Horse
The Trojan Horse, a symbol of wisdom and courage in ancient Greek legends, was created according to the story in the ancient Greek epic Iliad. It is about 4 meters high and is located in the ruins of the ancient city of Troy in Türkiye. This wooden horse sculpture is not only a symbol of ancient Greek civilization, but also a part of the world cultural heritage.
5. Sergeant Reckless
Sergeant Reckless, a loyal partner of the Hero Horse of the United States Marine Corps, was a Mongolian horse that demonstrated bravery during the Korean War. Her sculpture is located at the National Museum of the United States Marine Corps in Virginia, USA. This sculpture showcases the brave image of Sergeant Reckless on the battlefield, who once transported ammunition alone and was hailed as a hero of the United States Marine Corps.
6. Napoleon Bonaparte equestrian statue
The proud imperial emperor’s majestic figure in the port of Cherbourg, France is located in the Napoleon Bonaparte equestrian statue in Cherbourg, France, which is about 12 meters high and is one of the largest Napoleon statues in France. This sculpture showcases Napoleon’s heroic image on the battlefield and has become a symbol of French history.
7. Las Colinas’ Mustang
The wild horse sculpture group of Las Colinas, a proud anthem of wildness and freedom in Texas, consists of 40 bronze wild horses galloping in the rivers of Irving, Texas. This sculpture was created by artist Robert Graff, and each horse is lifelike, showcasing the free spirit of wild horses.
8. Racehorse Zenyatta
In 2012, the legendary racehorse Zenyatta, known as the “Horse King of the Year,” was permanently commemorated in a life sized bronze statue in Santa Anita Park due to his outstanding racing career and charismatic presence on the track. This magnificent sculpture is a testament to her strength and the emotions she inspires among her fans, capturing Zenyatta’s iconic horse racing posture. Her ears stand erect, and her strong steps are frozen in an instant, ensuring that her legend as one of the greatest purebred horses in history will be passed down from generation to generation at this iconic racetrack where she has won many victories.
9. Marco Aurelius equestrian statue
The original equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the eternal symbol of power in the Roman Empire, has been lost, and what remains is a replica from the Roman period. It is located in the Campidoglio Square in Rome, Italy, and is the earliest surviving ancient Roman equestrian statue, showcasing the majesty of the Roman emperor.
10. Gladiateur
The famous horse sculpture of Gladiateur, a legendary figure in the proud horse racing history of France’s Longchamp, is located at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, commemorating the horse’s glorious achievement of winning the English treble in the 19th century. This sculpture is not only the glory of Gladiateur, but also the pride of French horse racing.
These world’s top ten famous horse sculptures, whether it’s the grandeur of bronze horses in St. Petersburg, the agility of horses riding swallows in ancient China, or the glory of Gladiateur in the history of French horse racing, are all expressions of human respect and gratitude for horses. These famoushorse sculpture are not only a display of the artists’ superb skills, but also a microcosm of the history of human civilization development. Today, we appreciate these sculptures not only to praise the beauty of horses, but also to remember the historical chapters written together with them.
