Looking for an unexpected dose of beauty and boldness on your next London wander? The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is full of wonders, but right as you enter, there’s a corner that deserves extra attention — especially if you’re into the celebration of the male form, classical stories, and a bit of cheeky inspiration for your own garden sculpture.
We picked our favorite most handsome (and yes, quite homoerotic) sculptures you can see at the V&A — and best of all, it’s free!
The Hottest Male Sculptures You Can See for Free in London
These pieces aren’t just beautiful; they’re full of story, passion, and muscle detail that would make any gym bro jealous. And the best part? The museum is free. So grab a friend, your sketchbook, or just your curious eyes, and get ready to swoon. Here’s our top lineup to check out right when you enter.
Venetian Boy Catching a Crab
This life-size bronze by Henrietta Skerrett Montalba (1848–1893) is pure beach fantasy. Created around 1892–93, it captures a young Venetian fisherman in a perfectly twisted pose as he reacts to catching a crab.
Montalba studied in London and Venice and became known for her beautifully detailed portrait busts. But this full figure? It’s a total showstopper. First shown at the Royal Academy in 1893 and later in Chicago, it was a huge hit.
Vibe: Sun-kissed summer body meets Renaissance drama.
The Prodigal Son
This dramatic bronze by Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) dates from about 1885–87. Originally created as part of his massive project The Gates of Hell, this figure stands alone in a powerful, emotional stretch. Rodin reimagined the figure, exaggerating the muscles and pulling the arms forward to create a feeling of deep longing and vulnerability.
It’s as if he’s caught between despair and hope — all muscle, but also pure emotion.
Vibe: Emotional gym crush who just wants a second chance.
Cupid Kindling the Torch of Hymen
George Rennie (1802–60) sculpted this marble piece around 1831. Here, Cupid — the winged god of love — leans in to blow on the torch held by Hymen, the god of marriage, symbolizing rekindling the flame of passion.
Rennie was trained in the classical tradition, and you can really see that Greek influence in their soft forms and tender closeness. It’s romantic, a bit cheeky, and beautifully carved.
Vibe: Sweet, shy couple moment you secretly want to third-wheel.
Perseus Arming
Sculpted around 1882 by Alfred Gilbert (1854–1934), this bronze shows the Greek hero Perseus in a moment of quiet preparation. Inspired by Benvenuto Cellini’s famous bronze in Florence, Gilbert chose to show Perseus not as a perfect god but as a vulnerable young man, gearing up for the battles ahead.
It was so striking that it won an honorable mention at the Paris Salon. Gilbert himself said it encouraged him to “go on writing my own history by symbol.”
Vibe: Thoughtful hero getting ready for the big game.
Hercules and the Nemean Lion
Antonio Canova’s marble masterpiece shows Hercules taking down the Nemean lion — one of his famous twelve labors. Instead of pure brute force, there’s a softness in Hercules’ expression as he contemplates the beast beneath him.
It’s big, bold, and exactly the kind of epic statue you want to stand in front of for that dramatic “I feel powerful” moment.
Vibe: Absolute gym king energy with a soft side.
Even if you’re not a big art nerd, this little sculpture tour is a wild (and free!) adventure through beauty, myth, and some seriously stunning male bodies. You might walk out inspired to hit the gym, take a sculpting class, or at least rethink your next garden statue.
LocalsInsider tip: Swing by early in the day or on weekdays to have these statues almost to yourself.
