Perhaps there is no ruler who would be more deserving of the centuries-old memory of his compatriots than Peter 1. The monument in Moscow designed by the famous sculptor Z. Tsereteli is considered one of the most controversial creations of the author. For a decade and a half, discussions have not ceased, it causes many different opinions. From the point of view of artistic value, it is treated differently. Despite this, as an example of engineering art, it is unique.
Description of the monument
The monument to Peter the Great in Moscow is located on a reinforced concrete island, created specifically for its installation. The load-bearing base of the structure is made of stainless steel in the form of a frame on which a bronze cladding is installed. The figure of Peter, the ship and the lower segment of the monument were assembled separately and only after that they were lined up on a common pedestal prepared in advance.
The ship's shrouds are peculiarly designed. They are made of metal cables connected to each other and swinging when the wind blows. In other words, the guys are made like real ones.
The monument is linedhigh-quality bronze, protecting it from the damaging effects of the external environment. The emperor's figure is covered with a special color-preserving varnish for additional protection.
The ship's sails are made hollow to lighten the upper part of the monument. Their basis is a light metal frame. All monument fixtures are made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion. Inside the monument there is a staircase intended for restorers, installed to assess the internal state of the structure. As already mentioned, the bronze king stands on an artificial island. To imitate the movement of the ship on the waves, fountains are equipped in the bases of the island. When looking at the composition, it seems that the ship cuts through the waves.
History of Creation
The bronze statue was erected in 1997. Many media claimed that this is a monument dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Europeans, and initially the figure of Christopher Columbus was supposed to be on the pedestal. However, the author's attempts to sell the monument to the Americans or the Spaniards were unsuccessful. After that, the monument was presented by the authorities and the author to the city as a gift in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Russian fleet. As a result, Peter 1 became the hero of the composition. The monument in Moscow still causes heated debate among the public and experts. September 5, 1997 was marked by the opening of the statue, timed to coincide with the celebration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow.
Monument to Peter I Moscow accepted without enthusiasm, primarily because the anniversary of the fleet was held in 1996, i.e.the gift was “late” for a whole year. Navy personnel, represented by Admiral Selivanov, appealed to the Russian government with a request that, in honor of their professional holiday, another monument be erected in the capital, based on a sketch by the artist Lev Kerbel. However, the city authorities ignored the request of the sailors.
The attitude of Muscovites to the monument
Most residents of the capital believe that the giant statue of the emperor has little artistic value and does not fit into the architectural ensemble of the city.
There are many cases in world culture when unusual or strange sculptural compositions glorified their heroes and authors. For example, the monument to Wenceslas on a dead horse, located in the center of Prague, the Haddington pedestal depicting a shark crashing into the roof of a house, or the well-known Brussels pissing boy. Russia and Moscow can boast of their sights of the same kind. Monument to Peter I in Moscow entered the world's top ten most "unsympathetic" buildings.
Monuments in other cities
Tsar Peter left the greatest mark in the history of our Fatherland as an extraordinary reformer, ruler, military leader and, undoubtedly, a great despot. Not only Moscow and St. Petersburg are famous for their monuments to Peter the Great.
There are monuments to Peter in Kaliningrad, Voronezh, Vyborg, Makhachkala, Samara, Sochi, Taganrog, Lipetsk and even in European cities - Riga, Antwerp, Rotterdam, London.
Several volumes are not enough,to talk about how much Peter 1 did for Russia. The monument in Moscow and other cities will retain the appearance of the greatest of Russian monarchs for many decades.
A few words about the author
The famous sculptor and artist Zurab Konstantinovich Tsereteli was born in Tbilisi, in 1934, three days before Christmas. He received his higher education at the Academy of Arts in Tbilisi. Then he studied in France, where he met outstanding painters - Chagall and Picasso.
60s in the life of the sculptor marked the beginning of active work in the monumental genre. One of the famous brainchild of Tsereteli is considered to be "Peter 1" - a monument in Moscow. His works are known not only in Russia and the CIS countries. Tsereteli's sculptures are available in America ("Tear of Sorrow", "Good Defeats Evil"), Great Britain ("Destroy the Wall of Distrust"), Spain ("Victory").
