Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 35 works by Bertel Thorvaldsen in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Bertel Thorvaldsen's most famous painting is The three Graces, whose original hangs in the Accademia di San Luca, Rome. Adonis (1808) and Christ complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 35 works by Bertel Thorvaldsen in our catalog, the gallery presents the 29 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
In the quiet, hallowed halls of Neoclassical mastery, few works resonate with the same ethereal tenderness as Bertel Thorvaldsen’s The Three Graces. Sculpted in 1817 during the artist's most prolific years in Rome, this marble masterpiece is far more than a mere depiction of mythological figures; it is a profound meditation on harmony, intimacy, and the timeless ideals of beauty. As one gazes upon the smooth, luminous surfaces of the…
This marble sculpture, created by Bertel Thorvaldsen, depicts the mythological figure of Adonis. The work is a full-length portrait of a young male figure presented in a contrapposto pose. The figure stands with his body slightly angled towards the viewer, holding a staff or spear in one hand, while drapery is loosely gathered around his other arm and leg. The sculpture is set upon a simple, rectangular base.
To stand before this depiction of Christ is to encounter an immediate hush, a profound stillness captured in pale stone. The sculpture presents the upper torso and head of Jesus, rendered with the idealized perfection characteristic of Neoclassicism. Its surface, smooth and luminous—suggesting either fine marble or expertly finished plaster—seems to absorb and diffuse light, giving the figure an ethereal quality. The composition centers entirely on this divine presence; Christ’s…
To stand before this magnificent representation of Ganymede and the Eagle is to step directly into the luminous halls of classical mythology. The sculpture, a masterful testament to Neoclassical ideals, captures a moment suspended between divine favor and earthly devotion. It portrays Ganymede, the eternally youthful cupbearer to the gods, in an act of tender offering—presenting sustenance to the majestic eagle that perches nearby. The sheer physicality of the piece,…
The sculpture Christ is a work by the Danish-Icelandic artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. Created about 1821, this piece depicts Jesus Christ in a moment of quiet contemplation. It is a religious subject, rendered as a marble or plaster sculpture. The figure is presented with a sense of serene presence, capturing a specific devotional mood through its form.
The Lion of Lucerne, also known as the Lion Monument, emerges from the stone as a profound presence in Switzerland. Designed by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, this rock relief captures a moment of heavy stillness. The work was hewn between 1820 and 1821 by Lukas Ahorn, carving a permanent memory into the cliff face. It remains one of the most famous monuments in Switzerland, drawing eyes to its silent,…
In the hallowed, quietude of a Roman church interior, where light dances softly against ancient stone, stands a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time. The Monument of Pius VIII, sculpted by the legendary Danish master Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1853, is far more than a mere commemorative marker; it is a profound dialogue between the mortal and the divine. Through the medium of exquisite Carrara marble, Thorvaldsen captures not…
Døgnets tider. Symboliseret ved fire vingede skikkelser is a relief sculpture by Bertel Thorvaldsen. Created about 1794, the work features four winged figures. These figures act as allegories for the Times of the Day.
The sculpture titled Shepherd Boy is a work by the Danish-Icelandic sculptor and medalist Bertel Thorvaldsen. Created about 1800, the figure captures a quiet moment of pastoral life. The boy sits upon a rocky outcrop, a companionable dog resting at his feet. It is a study of stillness and the simple bond between a youth and his animal.
The sculpture titled Mercury Preparing to Kill Argus is a work by the artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. Created about 1818, the piece captures a suspended moment of divine intent. It draws its subject matter from the narratives of Greek mythology, focusing on the messenger god, Mercury. The figure is frozen in the quiet tension of his purpose.
The Three Graces with Cupid1817 · Музей Торвальдсена
12
Hebe1816 · Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe
13
Ganymede Waters Zeus as an Eagle1817 · Музей Торвальдсена
14
Statue of Byron1831
15
Triumph of Alexander the Great - Detail of the frieze1812 · Quirinal Palace
16
Hebe1806 · Музей Торвальдсена
17
Jason with the Golden Fleece1803 · Музей Торвальдсена
18
Self Portrait1810
19
Hebe1806 · Музей Торвальдсена
20
Shepherd1817 · Манчестерська художня галерея
21
Hylas Abducted by the Nymphs1831 · Музей Торвальдсена
22
Untitled (DAQP3C)
23
Ganymede and the EagleChrysler Museum of Art
24
Venus
25
Cupid and Psyche
26
Apolo
27
Paris
28
Head of Paris
29
Venus with Apple
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Bertel Thorvaldsen | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Музей Торвальдсена |
Копенгаген | 9 | Christ, Shepherd Boy, Mercury Preparing to Kill Argus |
 Accademia di San Luca |
Rome | 3 | The three Graces, Christ, Ganimede and the eagle |
 Neue Pinakothek |
Munich | 1 | Adonis |
 St. Peter's Basilica |
Vatican City | 1 | Monument of Pius VIII |
 Statens Museum For Kunst |
Copenhagen | 1 | Døgnets tider. Symboliseret ved fire vingede skikkelser |
 Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe |
Carlsruhe | 1 | Hebe |
 Quirinal Palace |
Rome | 1 | Triumph of Alexander the Great - Detail of the frieze |
 Манчестерська художня галерея |
Manchester | 1 | Shepherd |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
Døgnets tider. Symboliseret ved fire vingede skikkelser is a relief sculpture by Bertel Thorvaldsen. Created about 1794, the work features four winged figures. These figures act as allegories for the Times of the Day.
This marble sculpture, created by Bertel Thorvaldsen, depicts the mythological figure of Adonis. The work is a full-length portrait of a young male figure presented in a contrapposto pose. The figure stands with his body slightly angled towards the viewer, holding a staff or spear in one hand, while drapery is loosely gathered around his other arm and leg. The sculpture is set upon a simple, rectangular base.
The Lion of Lucerne, also known as the Lion Monument, emerges from the stone as a profound presence in Switzerland. Designed by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, this rock relief captures a moment of heavy stillness. The work was hewn between 1820 and 1821 by Lukas Ahorn, carving a permanent memory into the cliff face. It remains one of the most famous monuments in Switzerland, drawing eyes to its silent,…
The sculpture Christ is a work by the Danish-Icelandic artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. Created about 1821, this piece depicts Jesus Christ in a moment of quiet contemplation. It is a religious subject, rendered as a marble or plaster sculpture. The figure is presented with a sense of serene presence, capturing a specific devotional mood through its form.
A seated figure dominates the composition, captured in a moment of intense intellectual focus. The subject is depicted in modern attire rather than the traditional Roman costume often associated with Neoclassical portraiture. He sits amidst the fragments of ancient architecture, his feet resting upon a column capital. In his hands, he holds a book—specifically identified as Childe Harold's Pilgrimage—as if poised to record a sudden thought. The marble surface reflects…
The three Graces, Accademia di San Luca, Rome. Adonis (1808) and Christ come next.
The three Graces, Adonis, Christ, Ganimede and the eagle, Christ, The Lion of Lucerne, Monument of Pius VIII, Døgnets tider. Symboliseret ved fire vingede skikkelser, Shepherd Boy and Mercury Preparing to Kill Argus. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 35 works by Bertel Thorvaldsen, dated from 1794 to 1831.
Mostly in Музей Торвальдсена (Копенгаген), Accademia di San Luca (Rome) and Neue Pinakothek (Munich). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1810s: 8 of the 29 works on this page were made then, The Lion of Lucerne among them.
On this page, the earliest is Døgnets tider. Symboliseret ved fire vingede skikkelser (1794) and the latest Statue of Byron (1831).
Sculpture (11), Marble (6) and Mythology (4), across the 29 works on this page.
Marble, for 12 of the 29 works on this page.
Neoclassicism, judging by the originals on this page.
Christ, Shepherd Boy and Mercury Preparing to Kill Argus: the Музей Торвальдсена, Копенгаген holds 9 of the works on this page.
Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) was a Danish and Icelandic sculptor of international renown, whose work embodies the ideals of Neoclassical art. His life story is one of remarkable talent, dedicated study, and widespread acclaim.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to a working-class family with Icelandic roots, Thorvaldsen displayed artistic promise from a young age. He was accepted into the Royal Danish Academy of Art at just eleven years old. His exceptional skill earned him a stipend to travel to Rome in 1797 – a crucial step that would define his career.
Rome proved to be the ideal environment for Thorvaldsen’s artistic development. He immersed himself in the study of classical antiquity, meticulously copying ancient sculptures and absorbing their principles of form and proportion. This dedication led him to develop a distinctly Neoclassical style characterized by purity of line, idealized forms, and a sense of serene grandeur.
Thorvaldsen was profoundly influenced by the works of ancient Greek and Roman sculptors, as well as by contemporary artists like Antonio Canova. However, he gradually moved away from Canova’s more flamboyant style towards a greater emphasis on simplicity and restraint. He sought to capture not just physical beauty but also moral virtue in his figures.
In 1838, Thorvaldsen returned to Denmark as a national hero. The Danish government erected the Thorvaldsen Museum in Copenhagen to house his works, a testament to his immense popularity and artistic significance. He died in 1844 and is buried within the courtyard of the museum.
Bertel Thorvaldsen played a pivotal role in shaping the Neoclassical movement. His sculptures were widely admired and imitated, influencing generations of artists. He successfully revived classical ideals in sculpture, creating works that continue to inspire awe and admiration today. His ability to blend technical skill with artistic vision cemented his place as one of the most important sculptors of the 19th century.
