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Jan 26 23 tweets 7 min read Read on X
Modern art is becoming classical again!

These sculptors prove that classical techniques are thriving and turning heads worldwide. 🧵 Kris Kuksi's Tribulation (2015) is a breathtakingly intricate sculpture that feels like a dystopian cathedral come to life.
1. Jago (Jacopo Cardillo)

Jago’s been called the ‘modern Michelangelo’—do you agree?

His marble sculptures are so raw and lifelike, they almost seem to breathe
2. Benjamin Victor

When your work ends up in the U.S. Capitol, you know you're doing something right.

Victor’s sculptures bring classical artistry to modern icons, packed with emotion and dignity. Image
3. Hossein Behzadi

Behzadi takes Renaissance techniques and gives them a modern soul.

His sculptures don’t just capture beauty—they hold emotion.
4. Sabin Howard

If you’ve seen the World War I Memorial, you’ve seen Sabin Howard’s genius.

His work feels like it belongs in an ancient temple—meticulously detailed, deeply human, and rich with storytelling. Howard Sabin's WWI Memorial - A Soldier's Journey
5. Luo Li Rong

Luo Li Rong sculpts the feminine form with a touch that feels like poetry in bronze.

Her figures capture movement and grace so perfectly, they seem to float. "Mélodie" sculpture by Chinese sculptor Luo Li Rong. Credit: @AcademiaAesthe1
6. Rubin Eynon

Eynon’s sculptures, like Gallos, are where history and myth collide.

His work feels like it’s always been there, blending effortlessly with the landscape.
7. Philip Jackson

Jackson’s sculptures are all about atmosphere.

They have this haunting, mysterious quality that feels both classical and eerily contemporary at the same time. Image
8. Atelier Missor and Artist colony in Nice, France

Based in Nice, he blends classical craftsmanship with a contemporary vision, creating sculptures that exude elegance, precision, and timeless beauty. Credit: @AtelierMissor_
9. William Paquet

"A real artist's style develops naturally, a process of learning skills and the inner voice of aesthetics in form, line, color, etc. & inspiration from other artists." Credit: @PaqWilly William the Sculptor on X
10. Kris Kuksi

Kuksi doesn’t just sculpt—he creates entire worlds.

His pieces are a chaotic symphony of Gothic, Baroque, and surrealist elements, packed with so much intricate detail that you can get lost in them for hours. Kris Kuksi's Tribulation (2015) is a breathtakingly intricate sculpture that feels like a dystopian cathedral come to life.
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11. Richard MacDonald

MacDonald’s sculptures capture human movement with astonishing detail.

Pieces like The Flair freeze athletic grace in bronze, making time stand still. Image
12. Zenos Frudakis

Ever seen Freedom? That’s Frudakis’ masterpiece. His work captures the human spirit in a way that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. Image
13. Christophe Charbonnel

Charbonnel’s sculptures are pure raw energy.

He combines classical techniques with a rugged, almost unfinished style that makes his figures feel powerful and alive. Image
14. Albl Family

For centuries, the Albl family has been carving sacred art with precision and devotion.

Their woodwork feels like a bridge between the past and present. Image
15. César Orrico

Orrico’s work blends classical beauty with modern materials, creating sculptures that feel both timeless and refreshingly new. Credit:: @BeautifulBzarre
16. Vittorio Tessaro

Tessaro’s bronze sculptures focus on the human form with stunning detail, capturing emotion in every curve and contour. Image
17. Patricia Cronin

Patricia Cronin blends classical sculpture with contemporary themes, addressing identity, love, and social justice through powerful, thought-provoking works. Image
18. Nick Elphick

Elphick fuses old-school craftsmanship with modern themes, sculpting raw human emotions in a way that’s both powerful and relatable. Image
19. Dale Lamphere

Lamphere’s work is all about scale and connection.

His monumental sculptures blend seamlessly into their surroundings, telling stories rooted in place. Image
20. Alexander Stoddart

Stoddart’s classical sculptures bring mythology to life.

His work feels like it was plucked straight from an ancient epic and placed in the modern world. Statue of Adam Smith by Alexander Stoddart on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh By Stefan Schäfer, Lich - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Which of these sculptors stand out to you?

And who else deserves a spot on this list?

Sabin Howard’s WWI Memorial:

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More from @CultureExploreX

Jan 27
"Paris isn’t just a city—it’s a universe of its own." — King Francis I.

And you know what? He was right.

Let’s wander through its streets and uncover why Paris stands in a league of its own. 🧵 Beneath Arc de Triomphe, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, added in 1921 to honor unidentified soldiers who died during World War I. The eternal flame, which burns continuously, was the first of its kind to be installed in Western Europe after the Great War. What many don't realize is that this flame has never been extinguished—not even during the Nazi occupation of Paris in World War II. It is rekindled every evening in a solemn ceremony, a tradition that has remained unbroken for over a century. Credit: Breezechai
1. Sainte-Chapelle

This 13th-century Gothic jewel dazzles with its stained-glass and once held relics of Christ's Passion.

Do you know which French king commissioned the construction of Sainte-Chapelle to house relics of Christ’s Passion, including the Crown of Thorns?

A) Louis IX
B) Charlemagne
C) Philip IV
D) Francis ICredit: @JeremyTate41
2. Palais Garnier

A temple of opera and grandeur, this 19th-century masterpiece inspired the setting for The Phantom of the Opera.
Read 21 tweets
Jan 25
Vienna was once the center of the world, a city where emperors ruled, artists thrived, and ideas that shaped the world were born.

Today, we explore its iconic places that have left an impeccable mark on its history. 🧵 Palace of Justice (Justizpalast) is the seat of the Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) of Austria.  Credit: Christian Escobar on pinterest pin/3659243440187729/
1. Vienna State Opera (1869)

Its opening night featured a performance of Don Giovanni by Mozart, marking the opera house as a global cultural institution from day one. Credit: @ArchitectureTud
2. Schönbrunn Palace (1743)

Napoleon used the palace as his headquarters during the occupation of Vienna in 1805 and 1809, solidifying its place in European history. Photo by Nguyễn Khánh on pinterest pin/802414858637859092/
Read 18 tweets
Jan 24
Classical Art isn't a thing of the past - it's just as alive today.

The stunning painting below is by a modern master, Cesar Santos, but he is just one of many ... 🧵 Cuban American artist Cesar Santos combines different art styles in his series "Syncretism." He mixes elements from the Renaissance, Modern, Classic, and Contemporary eras to create unique, blended artworks.
1. Erik Armusik

Erik Armusik brings a dramatic intensity to classical realism, blending rich narratives with masterful technique.

His work evokes the grandeur of the Old Masters while reflecting contemporary themes. Image
2. Graydon Parrish

Known for his meticulous technique and allegorical themes, Parrish's work reflects a deep commitment to classical realism. Realism figure painting - Graydon Parrish, "Carmen," 2019, oil on polyester, 78 x 60 1/4 in., private collection Graydon Parrish, “Carmen,” 2019, oil on polyester, 78 x 60 1/4 in., private collection
Read 23 tweets
Jan 23
Great characters transcend their stories.

Some mirror our deepest fears and desires, while others challenge the way we see the world.

These iconic literary figures still captivate us today— a few might just surprise you. 🧵 Romeo and Juliet by Frank Bernard Dicksee  Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers, have become synonymous with youthful passion and tragic love. Interestingly, Shakespeare’s play was inspired by earlier Italian tales of doomed romance.
1. Hamlet (William Shakespeare)

Hamlet, the brooding Prince of Denmark, has become a symbol of existential struggle and internal conflict.

Interestingly, the phrase “to be or not to be” was originally absent from early drafts of the play and underwent revisions over time. The gravedigger scene by Eugène Delacroix (1839)
2. Frodo Baggins (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Frodo Baggins’ journey to destroy the One Ring symbolizes the burden of responsibility and self-sacrifice.

Tolkien first conceived of Frodo as “Bingo,” a lighthearted character, before evolving him into a serious protagonist. Image
Read 23 tweets
Jan 22
Hi, I'm Lisa di Antonio Gherardini Giocondo, but you probably know me as the Madonna Lisa.

For centuries, my portrait has fascinated millions. Want to know why? Image
Leonardo da Vinci painted me, and today, I'm the most famous artwork in the world.

I've been through a lot—hanging in Napoleon's bedroom, stolen from the Louvre (yes, Picasso was a suspect!), and even attacked with acid, rocks, and cake. Napoleon Bonaparte With Mona Lisa Painting Hanging In His Bedroom  This is not a real photo.
In the 1960s, I went on tour and was valued at $100 million.

By 2014, inflation pushed that estimate to $2.5 billion!

But guess what? They never insured me because the premiums were higher than top-tier security costs. Image
Read 20 tweets
Jan 21
America isn't just skyscrapers and strip malls—it's packed with jaw-dropping architectural masterpieces you never knew existed.

These stunning buildings will completely change how you view the nation's history and beauty. 🧵 Hotel Union Station at Saint Louis, MO Photo by besttravelphotos on pinterest /pin/298926493988171011/
New York Stock Exchange (New York, NY, 1903)

A neoclassical masterpiece featuring a grand portico with Corinthian columns and intricate sculptures. Credit: Pablo Fernández on Flickr
The Rookery Building (Chicago, IL, 1888)

A blend of Romanesque and early modern design, featuring a stunning light-filled atrium. Image
Read 21 tweets

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