Munich's Asamkirche. The very definition of Baroque ambition and opulence, built by two brothers in the 18th century as a private chapel.
Sculptor Egid Quirin Asam and painter Cosmas Damian Asam had previously spent time in Rome where they were moved by the High Baroque style, in particular the works of legendary polymath Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Dear artists, what is preventing you from sculpting like this?
Ugolino and His Sons by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, 1867. It depicts the story of Italian nobleman Ugolino from Dante's 14th century poem "Inferno", in which the count is imprisoned for treachery and left to starve with his children.
Heavily influenced by Michelangelo, Carpeaux was one of the most important sculptors of the 19th century - known for his astonishing anatomical realism. This masterwork created a public sensation and propelled him to fame.
Some art is so perfect, it can scarcely be believed that human hands created it.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's "The Abduction of Proserpina", 1622. Sculpted by the young genius at only 23 years of age, it is considered by many to be his finest and most lifelike work.
It depicts Pluto, the god of the underworld, abducting the goddess Proserpina, the daughter of Jupiter. Pluto's tight grasp on Proserpina's thigh is captured with impossible realism.
If architecture is frozen music, then Siena is a symphony.
Inside and out, Siena Cathedral is an exquisite work of art - every inch is decorated with colored marble, mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes. Built over 175 years, it is one the finest architectural landmarks in all of Italy.
The architecture is a harmonious blend of styles, reflecting its long and complex history. It combines masterful elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Classical, and Baroque styles.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, a Gothic sanctuary in the heart of New York City and the largest Catholic cathedral in the US - it is a symbol of the triumph of religious freedom in America.
Designed by James Renwick Jr. and clad in white marble to create a striking contrast with the city. It was completed in 1878 and occupies an entire city block. At the time it was the largest church in the US.