When it comes to art, stone has been used widely in sculptures for centuries, especially during the Ancient Roman times.
Carrara marble is one of the most popular stones that have been used by artists to make magnificent arts, which we still can witness today. This stone is a type of white or blue grey stone, most high quality and can only be quarried in the city of Carrara (thus the name) located in the province of Massa, the northern part of Tuscany, Italy.
Why do the artists like this stone particularly even they have other options? This stone has an amazing quality of absorbing light a few millimeters before being diffused, adding a lustrous texture and sophistication.
In fact, the word marble is derived from a Greek work “marmaros”, meaning shining stone. It was highly prized by Roman and Greek architects and artists as it was considered a high status of cultural symbol of tradition.
The most famous art using Carrara marble is David, masterpiece created by Michelangelo in 1504, which still can be view at Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, in Florence. The statue represents the Biblical hero David, weighing in more than 6 tons and standing at 5.17 meters tall. It became one of the most celebrated and recognized works of Renaissance sculpture, a symbol of strength and beauty.
Other ancient art using Carrara marble includes the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved Ancient Rome buildings, located in Rome today. Others will include George Washington statue on display in the National Museum of National History and The Cloak of Conscience, Piétà or Commendatore, by Anna Chromý located in Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria.
The most recent art auction was a life size sculpture of Italian singer Andre Boceilli reclining in an ornate, oversized chair sculpted in creamy Carrara Marble by Gualtiero Vanelli. It was auctioned off to an American businessman for US700,000.
You might think a stone is a stone. For MYKU, we strongly believe in Michelangelo’s famous quote:
"The marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has."