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 for the 100th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Catherine II. One of the variants of the monument, made to scale 1 ⁄ 16 life size, is located in the "Grotto" pavilion in Tsarskoe Selo. In the center of the park on Alexandria Square, a monument to Empress Catherine ΙΙ was opened in 1873. Its author is the artist Mikhail Mikeshin.

In the late 1960s, vandals snatched and stole a 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 done by Matvey Chizhov, who sculpted the statue of Catherine, and Alexander Opekushin, who created the figures surrounding the pedestal. The author of the design of the pedestal of the monument and the laurel wreath around its foot, the candelabra floor lamps, the inscription board under the foot of the monument is the architect David Grimm, who supervised all the work on the creation of the monument. The ornamental details of the lanterns were made according to the drawings of the architect Viktor Schroeter.

Technical details

Around the pedestal are nine figures of prominent figures of the Catherine era: Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, statesman Grigory Potemkin and military leader Alexander Suvorov are facing Nevsky Prospekt, poet Gavriil Derzhavin and President of the Russian Academy Ekaterina Dashkova to Anichkov Palace, Prince Alexander of the Russian Academy of Sciences arts 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 facade of the monument there is a bronze plaque decorated with attributes of 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 ΙΙ in the reign of Emperor Alexander ΙΙ-th 1873".

According to the original plan, the monument was to be installed in Tsarskoe 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, a park is laid out, which is 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 to the Catherine era. DI Grimm developed a project for the construction of bronze statues and busts depicting the leaders of the glorious reign in the park next to the monument to Catherine II. 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.

In growth, the following were to be depicted: 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 Stowage Commission. In the busts - 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.Kruz, military leaders: Count Z.G. Chernyshev, Prince V. M. Dolgorukov-Krymsky, Count IE Ferzen, Count VA Zubov; Moscow Governor-General Prince M.N. Volkonsky, Novgorod Governor Count Ya.E. Sivers, diplomat Ya.I. Bulgakov, suppressor 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 fortress Ochakov 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 with gestures demonstrate the size of their merits. Derzhavin alone makes a helpless gesture. And above them rises a majestic, depraved empress with a sly smile and a scepter as a standard in royal hands. In fact, of those depicted on the monument, Catherine's favorite (according to some sources, even a secret spouse) was only

Description

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

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, 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 - 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, looks out onto the square with a side facade. For the construction of a new square, the center of which was to be a 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 venture, the decision to immortalize 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 opened space, by decree of Emperor Alexander II, on November 24, 1869, the monument was laid, the date was not chosen by chance, November 24 is the day of St. Catherine. It was difficult to build the foundation for the monument, first they hammered oak piles, a rubble layer was laid on top, then a granite layer.

The pedestal, round in plan, made of various rocks of Karelian granites, is wide at its base, composed of four parts from larger to smaller in ascending order, and a bronze figure of the Empress completes the composition. It is located on a round bronze plinth, which bears the main granite pedestal.

The stone pedestal ends with a wide shelf on which sculptures of companions are located around the main figure. She stands omnipotent, majestic, full of dignity and peace, she is surrounded by associates - people who have embodied the ideas of the magnificent Catherine's age. With their talent, work in the military and national field, 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. The project management was entrusted to the architect D.I.Grimm, the sculptural compositions were performed by the artist and sculptor M.O. Mikeshin, the sculptor A.M. Opekushin, master caster M.A.Chizhov (made 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 in 1873". The board is framed with objects symbolizing the directions of the empress and her associates, these are the military land-sea exploits of the commanders, the outstanding discoveries of new lands by Russian navigators, the development of sciences, art, the improvement of the state structure and the law of the Russian Empire.

The figure of the empress is harmoniously perceived from all angles, from the front side she, in her exact portrait likeness, dressed in flowing clothes, appears before us as an all-powerful queen. In her right hand she calmly but firmly holds the rod 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 go forward. This movement is reinforced by the falling mantle, the visible image of which tells us what an overwhelming burden of responsibility for her country the mother empress bears. As a true woman, Catherine appears before us in an elegant crown, at her feet is an imperial crown, under which is a scroll with a personalized monogram.

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

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

On the face of the pedestal are the figures of P.A.Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, G.A.Potyomkin and V.A. There is a lively dialogue between the heroes about the fate of peoples and fatherland.

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

The poet and prominent statesman G.R.Derzhavin and the president of the Russian Academy, one of the most educated women in Europe, E.R.

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 devoted his whole life to the service of Russia.

The monument to Catherine II 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 12 years, the forces of the creators, their will, perseverance and faith in victory were crowned with a brilliant result. The monument, 15 meters high, is skillfully inscribed in the relatively small space of Ostrovsky Square in front of Nevsky Prospekt. Empress Catherine the Second looks into the future with a glance filled with greatness, her companions 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, Yekaterinensky square

How to get there?

• Underground

  Gostiny Dvor

• How to get there

  To the metro station "Gostiny Dvor", go out 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, a monument to Empress Catherine II was unveiled in the center of Alexandrovskaya Square. From the day he was introduced to the public, all sorts of legends circulated around the monument, and city witters in every possible way made fun of the statue of the Russian autocrat. They said that the statues of the Empress's favorites on the pedestal indicate the size of their merits with gestures, and Derzhavin only makes a helpless gesture, that a treasure of enormous value is buried under the pedestal - a ring, which a certain high-ranking lady threw into the pit when laying it down. As for the first story, it is fiction. Of all Catherine's favorites on the monument, there is only an image of G.A. Potemkin. But the second legend seemed to be taken seriously - under Soviet rule, excavations were going to be carried out in the Catherine Garden. True, they were never started.

Various curiosities and troubles constantly occurred with the monument to Catherine. Some details - chains, orders, swords - periodically disappeared, during restoration work, fragments of glass bottles were found in the crown on the head of the empress, a sword was pulled out of the hands of the sculpture of commander A. Suvorov several times, and the assassination attempts continue now, and once the jokers turned Catherine's outfit in a sailor's vest. Vandals were found in most cases. In the old days, chess players liked to gather in the Catherine Garden.

The idea of ​​installing the monument originated 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, which was delivered to the Neva embankment by water from the Karelian Isthmus. Then, granite was delivered to the site along specially laid railway tracks.

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

The cost of work on the construction of the monument was 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 manufactured and assembled in stages from 1862 to 1873. The consecration ceremony took place in November 1873.

Under Soviet rule, in the early 30s, the monument was planned to be dismantled, and a sculpture of Lenin was put in place of Catherine. Mount figures of 9 members of the Leninist Politburo into the pedestal.

Since 1988, the Catherine Garden has been taken under state protection. In the late 90s and early 2000s, the park was reconstructed and the layout of 1878 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 chest of the Empress is the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. In the circle of the pedestal, the figures of the Empress's associates: statesman Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky, poet Gabriel Derzhavin, field marshal Peter Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, commander Alexander Suvorov, statesman Grigory Potemkin, polar explorer Vasily Chichyagov, president of the Russian Academy of Arts Ekaterina Dashkova, President of the Russian Academy of Arts Yekaterina Bashkova , Prince Alexander Bezborodko.

It was planned to expand the memorial, but the Russian-Turkish war and other events of 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 the playwright A.P. Sumarokov, writer D.I. Fonvizin, Prosecutor General of the Senate A.A. Vyazemsky, Admiral of the Fleet 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 Tsarskoe Selo. The project of the artist M.O. Mikeshin, author of the Millennium of Russia monument in Novgorod. The model of the monument was cast in bronze at the Chopin factory and sent to the World Exhibition in London, where she was awarded a medal.

In 1863, the Governor-General of St. Petersburg, 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 institution of which belongs to the wise empress." Mikeshin drew up a new, more significant project, different from the model of 1861. By mid-August 1864, a new model of the monument was completed, having received the highest approval.

The sculptor M.A. Chizhov. The figures of the leaders of Catherine's reign were sculpted by A.M. Opekushin.

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

In June 1869, work began on the construction of the monument, while 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, cascading mantle 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. Beardless; 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; General Field Marshal, Prince G.A. Potemkin-Tavrichesky; Field Marshal, 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 naval affairs are combined; the book that stands among these attributes reads "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.

The laying of the monument to Catherine II. 1969 year
World Illustration Vol. 2, No. 50, 1869

Solomatkin Leonid Ivanovich (1837-1883) "Opening of the monument to Catherine II". 1873 g.
Canvas, oil.
State Art Museum of 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, gazes majestically at her subjects from above, and her favorites meekly sit at her feet - people who determined the policy of that time, wove intrigues, lost and gained power ...

The history of the creation of the monument

The idea to immortalize the empress in stone arose in the early years of her reign (Catherine II came to power in 1762 and ruled the Russian Empire until her death in 1796), but the empress herself then categorically rejected this plan. However, her merits were appreciated not only by her own subjects, but also by her successors. So, Emperor Alexander II (the one who abolished serfdom in Russia and received the prefix "liberator" for this) ordered to announce a competition for the best project of the 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 according to the artist's model was cast from bronze, and safely went to an exhibition in London, where he was awarded honors and a medal.

In 1863, Prince Suvorov (the grandson of the famous Russian commander) personally appealed to Emperor Alexander II in order to erect a monument opposite the Alexandria Theater. Mikeshin significantly changed the project, which was not much like the previous model. After about a year, the work on the manufacture of the model was completed. The permission "from above" was received, and then the monument, at last, began to be erected.

The construction work was headed by the architect David Grimm. Granite for the pedestal was delivered by water: it went along a rather bizarre route - from the Karelian Isthmus to the Neva embankment near the Summer Garden and from there to the desired place by rail. It was not only the monument to the empress that was created: in parallel with this, the park adjacent to the monument was also equipped.

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

From the state treasury, over 300,000 rubles were spent 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 to admire one of the most prominent monuments of Old Petersburg.

In memory of the first "Tsarskoye Selo project" in Tsarskoye Selo, a monument was erected, similar to the one on Ostrovsky Square - about 1/16 of the size of that.

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 nine favorites of Catherine, respectively, it was planned to place the members of the Politburo on the pedestal. However, these plans remained plans, and the monument stoically survived even the blockade of Leningrad. In the mid-1960s, the local granite Suvorov lost his sword, which later had to be restored.

The composition of the monument is as follows: Catherine, dressed in an ermine mantle, clutches a symbol of power - a scepter and a laurel wreath, a symbol of triumph, and at her feet is the crown of the Russian Empire. Strict and calm, Catherine silently gazes at the city from a height of almost four and a half meters, and at the foot are 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 the "Catherine's circle" ...

Grigory Potemkin-Tavrichesky - the founder of Dnepropetrovsk, Sevastopol and Nikolaev, according to rumors, was the secret spouse of Catherine the Great.

Alexander Suvorov is the greatest Russian military leader who has made Russia a triumphant military campaign.

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

Ekaterina Dashkova is one of the confidants of Catherine the Great, 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 partition of Poland.

Ivan Betskoy - Secretary of the Empress and President of the Imperial Academy of Arts.

Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky is a prominent Russian figure and commander who, for his triumphant participation in the Chesme battle, received a prefix to his surname.

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