1. Ancient Greek Statues: The video opens with Lady Gaga posing as a classical Greek statue reminiscent of ancient sculptures.
2. Marilyn Monroe: Gaga appears in a white dress resembling the iconic look of Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe.
3. David Bowie: Gaga channels the androgynous style and makeup inspired by musician David Bowie.
4. Egyptian Queen: Gaga appears as a powerful Egyptian queen, paying homage to ancient Egyptian culture.
5. Michelangelo's Pietà: Gaga reinterprets Michelangelo's famous Renaissance sculpture "Pietà," depicting the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus Christ.
6. Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans: Gaga surrounds herself with Campbell's Soup Cans, referencing artist Andy Warhol's iconic pop art piece.
7. Roy Lichtenstein's Pop Art: The video features scenes with comic-style visual effects, inspired by Roy Lichtenstein's pop art style.
8. Disco Queen: Gaga transforms into a disco queen, referencing the exuberant dance culture of the 1970s and paying tribute to disco icons like Donna Summer.
9. Mechanical Bull: Gaga rides a mechanical bull, referencing her previous music video for the song "Alejandro," which featured the singer astride a mechanical horse.
10. Gothic Fashion: Gaga wears elaborate and dark Gothic-inspired costumes throughout the video, showcasing her affinity for theatrical and dramatic fashion.
These are just a few examples of the various forms of art and characters referenced in Lady Gaga's "Applause" music video, representing her eclectic style, artistic influences, and diverse range of pop culture references.