Sculpture of Italy in Russia under Catherine II the Great. Monument to Catherine II Monument to Catherine II in the city

History of the monument

In the early 1860s, the idea arose to erect a monument in the city to mark the 100th anniversary of Catherine II’s accession to the throne. One of the monument options, made to scale 1 ⁄ 16 life-size, located in the Grotto pavilion in Tsarskoe Selo. In the center of the park on Alexandria Square, a monument to Empress Catherine II was opened in 1873. Its author is the artist Mikhail Mikeshin.

In the late 1960s, vandals snatched and stole the sword from the hands of Alexander Suvorov. It was reproduced again twice - attempts on the sword continue to this day.

Authors

The artist Mikhail Mikeshin took part in the construction of the monument, the sculptural work was carried out by Matvey Chizhov, who sculpted the statue of Catherine, and Alexander Opekushin, who created the figures surrounding the pedestal. The author of the project for the pedestal of the monument and the laurel wreath around its foot, the floor lamps, candelabra, and the inscription board under the foot of the monument is the architect David Grimm, who supervised all work on the creation of the monument. The ornamental details of the lanterns were made according to the drawings of the architect Victor Schröter.

Technical data

Around the pedestal there are nine figures of prominent figures of Catherine's era: Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, statesman Grigory Potemkin and commander Alexander Suvorov facing Nevsky Prospect, poet Gabriel Derzhavin and President of the Russian Academy Ekaterina Dashkova facing Anichkov Palace, Prince Alexander Bezborodko and President of the Russian Academy artists Ivan Betskoy - to the Public Library, polar explorer and naval commander Vasily Chichagov and statesman Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky - to the facade of the Alexandrinsky Theater. On the front façade of the monument there is a bronze plaque decorated with attributes of the sciences, arts, agriculture and military affairs. On the book, standing among these attributes, the word “law” is written and the inscription is made: “To Empress Catherine II during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, 1873.”

According to the original plan, the monument was to be installed in Tsarskoye Selo, but later it was decided to install it in St. Petersburg in front of the Alexandrinsky Theater. Between the Alexandrinsky Theater and the monument to Catherine II there is a square called Catherine's.

The events of the last years of the reign of Alexander II - in particular, the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 - prevented the implementation of the plan to expand the memorial of the Catherine era. D. I. Grimm developed a project for the construction in the park next to the monument to Catherine II of bronze statues and busts depicting figures of the glorious reign. According to the final list, approved a year before the death of Alexander II, six bronze sculptures and twenty-three busts on granite pedestals were to be placed next to the monument to Catherine.

The following should have been depicted full-length: Count N.I. Panin, Admiral G.A. Spiridov, writer D.I. Fonvizin, Prosecutor General of the Senate Prince A.A. Vyazemsky, Field Marshal Prince N.V. Repnin and General A. I. Bibikov, former chairman of the Code Commission. The busts include publisher and journalist N. I. Novikov, traveler P. S. Pallas, playwright A. P. Sumarokov, historians I. N. Boltin and Prince M. M. Shcherbatov, artists D. G. Levitsky and V. L Borovikovsky, architect A. F. Kokorinov, favorite of Catherine II Count G. G. Orlov, admirals F. F. Ushakov, S. K. Greig, A. I. Cruz, military leaders: Count Z. G. Chernyshev, Prince V M. Dolgorukov-Krymsky, Count I. E. Ferzen, Count V. A. Zubov; Moscow Governor-General Prince M.N. Volkonsky, Novgorod Governor Count Y. E. Sivers, diplomat Ya. I. Bulgakov, pacifier of the “plague riot” of 1771 in Moscow P. D. Eropkin, who suppressed the Pugachev rebellion Count P. I. Panin and I. I. Mikhelson, the hero of the capture of the Ochakov fortress I. I. Meller-Zakomelsky.

City's legends

Wits say that the bronze figures of Catherine’s favorites around the pedestal on the monument to Catherine demonstrate with gestures the size of their advantages. Only Derzhavin throws up his hands guiltily. And above them rises the majestic depraved empress with a sly smile and a standard scepter in her royal hands. In fact, of those depicted on the monument, Catherine’s favorite (according to some sources, even her secret husband) was only

Description

The monument to Empress Catherine II was erected in the center of Ostrovsky Square in St. Petersburg on Nevsky Prospekt. Especially for the landscape design of the monumental and sculptural composition, Alexandrinsky Square was laid out around it.

Ostrovsky Square is framed by masterpieces of Russian architecture from different eras; in the depths of the square along the central axis is the Alexandrinsky Theater, with its main pediment depicting an equestrian quadriga ruled by the ancient Greek god Apollo, the patron of the arts; the theater building is an example of the art of Russian classicism. On the right side of the square is the St. Petersburg Public Library, founded by Empress Catherine II, an architectural monument of the 18th and 19th centuries, a repository of historical artifacts expressing the ideas of world human thought. On the left side the Anichkov Palace, a former noble estate of the 18th century, which was owned by dignitaries in different historical periods, faces the square with a side facade. To create a new square, the center of which was to be the monument to Catherine II, part of the buildings of the Anichkov Palace estate were demolished.

The idea to erect a monument to Empress Catherine II arose during her lifetime, but the queen rejected this idea; the decision to perpetuate the image of the great Catherine II came during the anniversary date - the 100th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the most merciful empress.

In the newly opened space, by decree of Emperor Alexander II, a monument was laid on November 24, 1869; the date was not chosen by chance, November 24 is St. Catherine’s Day. The foundation for the monument was built in a complex manner; first they drove oak piles, laid a rubble layer on top, then a granite layer.

The pedestal, round in plan, made of various types of Karelian granites, is wide at its base, composed of four parts from largest to smallest in ascending order, completes the composition with a bronze figure of the empress. It is located on a bronze round pedestal, which carries a main granite pedestal.

The stone pedestal ends with a wide shelf on which sculptures of the Companions are located around the main figure. She stands omnipotent, majestic, full of dignity and peace, she is surrounded by her companions - people who brought to life the ideas of the magnificent Catherine’s century. With their talent and labor in the military and national fields, they created the greatness and independence of the Russian Empire.

A creative team of architects, artists, sculptors, and foundry workers worked on the monument to Catherine II. Project management was entrusted to the architect D. I. Grimm, the sculptural compositions were made by the artist and sculptor M. O. Mikeshin, sculptor A. M. Opekushin, foundry master M. A. Chizhov (performed the sculpture of Catherine), architect V. A. Shreter worked on the bronze frame of the monument.

On the front side of the pedestal there is a bronze plaque with a dedicatory inscription “To Empress Catherine II during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, 1873.” The board is framed with objects symbolizing the activities of the Empress and her associates, these are the military land and sea exploits of commanders, the outstanding discoveries of new lands by Russian navigators, the development of sciences, art, the improvement of the state structure and law of the Russian Empire.

The figure of the empress is harmoniously perceived from all angles; from the front side, in her exact portrait likeness, dressed in flowing robes, she appears before us as an all-powerful queen. In her right hand she calmly but firmly holds the staff of imperial power, in her left hand rests a laurel wreath - a symbol of the greatness and strength of statesmen of all times and peoples. Her figure is both solemn and graceful, she is calm, but wants to move forward. This movement is enhanced by the flowing mantle, the visible image of which tells us what an overwhelming burden of responsibility for her country the Mother Empress bears. Like a true woman, Catherine appears before us wearing an elegant crown; at her feet is an imperial crown, under which is a scroll with a personal monogram.

The sculptural composition of the monument to Catherine II consists of two parts; on the lower granite circular shelf there are figures of companions; the monument is crowned by the figure of the Empress herself, located on a bronze pedestal.

Who were these people, with their intelligence, work, exploits, talent, devotion to their homeland, who created the greatness of Russia.

On the front side of the pedestal there are figures of P. A. Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, G. A. Potemkin and V. A. Suvorov; the portrait resemblance of the great commanders of different periods of the reign of Catherine is striking. There is a lively dialogue between the characters about the fate of peoples and the fatherland.

A group of sculptural images by A. A. Bezborodko and I. I. Betsky narrate the development of state building in the language of art.

The poet and outstanding statesman G.R. Derzhavin and the President of the Russian Academy, one of the most educated women in Europe, E.R. Dashkova, are talking about the flowering of educational thoughts and the formation of the Russian poetic movement.

A separate group is represented by V. Ya. Chichagov and A. G. Orlov-Chesmensky. These people lived at different times. Orlov-Chesmensky defended the freedom of his homeland and historically close Orthodox Christian peoples. Chichagov was an outstanding explorer and navigator who dedicated his entire life to serving Russia.

The monument to Catherine the Second was inaugurated on November 24, 1873 in the presence of the sovereign. The event was accompanied by a military parade and fireworks. The entire architectural and sculptural complex was built over the course of 12 years; the strength of the creators, their will, perseverance and faith in victory were crowned with a brilliant result. The monument, 15 meters high, is skillfully integrated into the relatively small space of Ostrovsky Square in front of Nevsky Prospekt. Empress Catherine the Second, with a gaze filled with greatness, peers into the future, her associates also think about the main thing - about the future of their native country.

Sculptor

M. O. Mikeshin, M. A. Chizhov, A. M. Opekushin

Contacts

• Address

  St. Petersburg, Ostrovsky Square, Ekaterininsky Square

How to get there?

• Metro

  Gostiny Dvor

• How to get there

  To the Gostiny Dvor metro station, exit to the right along Nevsky Prospekt, in 2 minutes you will find yourself in front of the monument to Catherine II

On Ostrovsky Square in St. Petersburg in 1873, in the center of the Alexander Square square, a monument to Empress Catherine II was unveiled. From the day it was presented to the public, all sorts of legends circulated around the monument, and the city's wits made fun of the statue of the Russian autocrat in every possible way. They said that the statues of the empress’s favorites on the pedestal gestured at the size of their merits, but Derzhavin just shrugged, that under the pedestal there was buried a treasure of enormous value - a ring that, when being laid, a certain high-ranking lady threw into the pit. As for the first story, it is fiction. Of all Catherine’s favorites, only G.A. is depicted on the monument. Potemkin. But they seemed to take the second legend seriously - under Soviet power, excavations were going to be carried out in the Catherine Garden. True, they were never started.

Various oddities and troubles constantly occurred with the Catherine monument. Some details - chains, orders, swords - periodically disappeared; during restoration work, fragments of glass bottles were found in the crown on the empress's head; a sword was snatched from the hands of a sculpture of commander A. Suvorov several times, and attempts continue to this day; and once jokers turned Catherine's outfit in a sailor's vest. In most cases, vandals were found. In former times, chess players loved to gather in the Catherine Garden.

The idea of ​​installing the monument arose in 1860, 100 years after the accession of Catherine II. The author of the monument is the artist M. Mikeshin. The granite pedestal is made of stone that was delivered to the Neva embankment by water from the Karelian Isthmus. Then the granite was delivered to the site along specially laid railway tracks.

The lower part of the pedestal is made of granite from the Putsalo quarry, the base and cornice are made of gray granite from the Janisari quarry, the pedestal is made of gray Sneskesalmi granite. The figures in the pedestal were cast by master bronze casters of the Nichols and Plinke factory.

The cost of construction of the monument amounted to 316 thousand rubles. The production of commemorative medallions, the reconstruction of the square and the opening ceremony cost about 456 thousand rubles. The monument was made and installed in stages from 1862 to 1873. The consecration ceremony took place in November 1873.

Under Soviet rule in the early 30s, it was planned to dismantle the monument and put a sculpture of Lenin in Catherine’s place. Figures of 9 members of Lenin's Politburo are mounted on the pedestal.

Since 1988, the Catherine Garden has been placed under state protection. In the late 90s and early 2000, the square was reconstructed and the 1878 layout was returned.

The authorship of the monument belongs to the artists M. Mikeshin, A. Opekushin, M. Chizhov, architects D. Grim, V. Shterer. The height of the sculpture of Empress Catherine II is 4.35 m. In her hands is a laurel wreath and a scepter, at her feet is the crown of the Russian Empire. On the empress's chest is the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Around the pedestal are figures of the empress's associates: statesman Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky, poet Gabriel Derzhavin, field marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, commander Alexander Suvorov, statesman Grigory Potemkin, polar explorer Vasily Chichyagov, president of the Russian Academy Ekaterina Dashkova, president of the Russian Academy of Arts Ivan Betskoy , Prince Alexander Bezborodko.

It was planned to expand the memorial, but the Russian-Turkish War and other events during the reign of Emperor Alexander II prevented this. Architect D. Grimm presented a project according to which bronze statues of prominent public and political figures of the era of her reign were to be located next to the monument to Catherine II. Among them should have been playwright A.P. Sumarokov, writer D.I. Fonvizin, Prosecutor General of the Senate A.A. Vyazemsky, Fleet Admiral F.F. Ushakov.

On November 24 (December 6), 1873, a monument to Empress Catherine II was inaugurated in St. Petersburg on Alexandrinskaya Square (now Ostrovsky Square).

In 1860, the Academy of Arts announced a competition for the construction of a monument to Catherine II for Tsarskoye Selo. The project of the artist M.O. was approved. Mikeshin, author of the “Millennium of Russia” monument in Novgorod. A model of the monument was cast in bronze at Chopin's factory and sent to the World Exhibition in London, where it was awarded a medal.

In 1863, St. Petersburg Governor General Prince A.A. Suvorov turned to the emperor with a proposal to erect a monument in the park opposite the “Alexandria Theater... and the Public Library, the establishment of which belongs to the wise empress.” Mikeshin drew up a new, larger project, different from the 1861 model. By mid-August 1864, the new model of the monument was completed, having received the highest approval.

The sculptor M.A. worked on the model of the statue of Catherine. Chizhov. The figures of figures from Catherine's reign were sculpted by A.M. Opekushin.

The bronze sculpture was cast at the Kohuna bronze foundry (Nichols and Plinke). The architectural design of the monument was developed by architect D.I. Grimm. According to his design, massive candelabra lanterns and a monument fence made of laurel garlands were also made. The ornamental details of the lanterns were made according to the drawings of the architect V.A. Schröter.

In June 1869, work began on the construction of the monument, and at the same time work was underway to create a public garden. Four years later, on November 24 (December 6), 1873, in an atmosphere of special solemnity in the presence of the royal family, the opening of the monument to Empress Catherine II took place.

The colossal statue of the empress, dressed in a long robe flowing in heavy folds, is installed on a bell-shaped pedestal.

At the base of the monument to Catherine II there are figures of prominent figures of Russia of the second half of the 18th century: diplomat, Prince A.A. Bezborodko; educator I.I. Betskoy; President of the Russian Academy, Princess E.R. Dashkova; poet and statesman G.R. Derzhavin; General-in-Chief, Count A.G. Orlov-Chesmensky; Field Marshal General, Prince G.A. Potemkin-Tavrichesky; Field Marshal General, Count P.A. Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky; Generalissimo A.V. Suvorov-Rymniksky; Admiral V.Ya. Chichagov.

P.A. Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, G.A. Potemkin, A.V. Suvorov

A.A. Bezborodko, I.I. Betskoy

V.Ya. Chichagov, A.G. Orlov-Chesmensky

G. R. Derzhavin, E. R. Dashkova

Above the board with the inscription: “To Empress Catherine II, during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, 1873,” attributes of sciences, arts, agriculture, military land and maritime affairs are combined; on the book standing among these attributes is written “The Law.”

The creation of the monument took 3.1 thousand pounds of bronze, that is, almost 50 tons. The total height of the monument is 14.9 m, the height of the sculpture of Catherine II is 4.2 m, the height of the pedestal is 10.7 m.

Laying the foundation stone for the monument to Catherine II. 1969
World illustration Vol. 2, No. 50 1869

Solomatkin Leonid Ivanovich (1837-1883) “Opening of the monument to Catherine II.” 1873
Canvas, oil.
State Art Museum of the Altai Territory, Barnaul.

1873. Opening of the monument to Catherine II. November 24, 1873

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The monument to Catherine the Great is rightfully considered one of the most famous monuments in St. Petersburg. The Empress, imprinted in granite, majestically looks at her subjects from above, and her favorites humbly sit at her feet - people who determined the politics of that time, weaved intrigues, lost and gained power...

History of the creation of the monument

The idea of ​​immortalizing the empress in stone arose in the first years of her reign (Catherine the Second came to power in 1762 and ruled the Russian Empire until her death in 1796), but the empress herself then categorically rejected this idea. However, her merits were appreciated not only by her own subjects, but also by her successors. Thus, Emperor Alexander II (the same one who abolished serfdom in Russia and received the prefix “liberator” for this) ordered a competition to be announced for the best design of a monument to Catherine. They wanted to install the monument in Tsarskoe Selo, and entrust the project to the artist Mikeshin. As a result, the monument, based on the artist’s model, was cast in bronze and safely went to an exhibition in London, where it received honors and a medal.

In 1863, Prince Suvorov (grandson of the famous Russian commander) personally appealed to Emperor Alexander II to erect a monument opposite the Alexandria Theater. Mikeshin significantly changed the project, which was no longer much like the previous model. About a year later, work on the production of the model was completed. Permission was received from above, and then the monument finally began to be erected.

The construction work was led by the architect David Grimm. The granite for the pedestal was delivered by water: it took a rather bizarre route - from the Karelian Isthmus to the Neva embankment near the Summer Garden and from there to the desired location by rail. Not only the monument to the empress itself was created: in parallel with this, the park adjacent to the monument was also developed.

In total, construction took a little over 10 years and lasted from 1862 to 1873. The opening day of the monument was not chosen by chance: the solemn, surprisingly magnificent ceremony took place on St. Catherine’s Day, at the same time the name day of the Empress Catherine the Great herself was celebrated - November 24 (December 6), 1873. On a city scale, it was a real celebration: a ceremonial parade took place in the streets, fireworks thundered, and luxurious tables were laid in the National Library in order to properly honor the authors of the monument and those who took part in this grandiose construction.

Over 300,000 rubles were spent from the state treasury on the creation of the monument, but in the long term it turned out to be a truly profitable investment: even many years after the opening of the monument, thousands of residents and guests of the city come with admiration to look at one of the most prominent monuments of Old Petersburg.

In memory of the first “Tsarskoe Selo Project”, a monument was erected in Tsarskoe Selo, similar to the one on Ostrovsky Square - approximately 1/16 the size of that one.

According to some sources, in the 1930s the government of Soviet Leningrad intended to demolish the monument, replacing it with a statue of Vladimir Lenin. Instead of Catherine’s nine favorites, accordingly, it was planned to place members of the Politburo on the pedestal. However, these plans remained plans, and the monument stoically survived even the siege of Leningrad. In the mid-1960s, the local granite Suvorov lost his sword, which then had to be restored.

The composition of the monument is as follows: Catherine, dressed in an ermine robe, clutches in her hands a symbol of power - a scepter and a symbol of triumph - a laurel wreath, and at her feet is the crown of the Russian Empire. Strict and calm, Catherine silently looks at the city from a height of almost four and a half meters, and at the foot sit those who owed her their high position at court and left an important place in the history of the Russian Empire. In total, there are nine figures among the members of “Catherine’s circle”...

Grigory Potemkin-Tavrichesky, the founder of Dnepropetrovsk, Sevastopol and Nikolaev, was rumored to be the secret husband of Catherine the Great.

Alexander Suvorov is the greatest Russian commander who glorified Russia in triumphant military campaigns.

Gabriel Derzhavin is a Russian poet and statesman who took part in the suppression of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev.

Ekaterina Dashkova is one of Catherine the Great’s close associates, her friend, who, in particular, took part in the coup of 1762, which allowed Catherine to ascend the Russian throne.

Alexander Bezborodko is a Russian statesman who initiated the division of Poland.

Ivan Betskoy - secretary of the empress and president of the imperial academy of arts.

Alexey Orlov-Chesmensky is a prominent Russian figure and commander, who received a prefix to his surname for his triumphant participation in the Battle of Chesmensky.

Catherine's favorites are surrounded by various attributes of military affairs, arts, sciences, and agriculture. Among all this there is a large book on which the word “law” is written and the inscription “To Empress Catherine II during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, 1873” is made. Thus, Alexander honored the empress’s services to subsequent generations.