"Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat" - sculpture Shadra

The composition "Cobblestone is the weapon of the proletariat" is one of the most famous works not only in the domestic, but also in the world sculpture. It was created in 1927 by the famous sculptor ID Shadr. The work was done in a classical style, but gained popularity due to the fact that the author filled the traditional form with new, modern content, displaying in the symbolic image of a simple worker the pathos of the revolutionary struggle for freedom.

General characteristic of creativity

Shadr became famous as the creator of monumental sculptures in the style of "modern". Many of his works are imbued with a romantic spirit. In his work he used elements of folk architecture. The author showed great interest in the human body, to the anatomical details, which gave his images such credibility. His works have a profound philosophical meaning: Shadr sought to show a human figure frozen in a dead stone, which tries to overcome it and break out. Therefore, the sculptor's works are remarkable for their plasticity and dynamics. A striking example is the composition "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat". Perhaps, it is in this work that the creative principles of the artist have found their greatest embodiment. However, in addition to this sculpture, he created many other portraits and figures of people from the common people: the Red Guards, the sower, the peasant.

Description

Shadr created his famous composition in memory of the events of the first Russian revolution, which occurred in 1905. The work is done in a classical style, in which the author is very well versed, since at one time he studied this art in Rome and Paris. At the heart of the composition is the figure of a simple worker. "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat" is an image of a man tearing a stone out of the pavement. The body of this man is made in the best antique traditions, however the author filled the sculpture with revolutionary content. The face of the model depicts readiness for struggle, confrontation. At the same time, many critics noted that the author showed a desperate man, ready to take extreme measures to at least somehow overcome need.

Perception

Not all of them immediately appreciated this work. The sculpture "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat" was criticized for being executed in the classical style, which was supposed to be abandoned at the time being considered. Nevertheless, the contemporary author Nesterov noted that in his new work the author combined the beauty of spirit and form, which was the main principle of ancient art. The composition was presented in the year of the decade of the October Revolution.

Installation

One of the most famous Soviet sculptors was Shadr. "Cobblestone is the weapon of the proletariat" is its most famous composition, which was installed not only in the capital, but also in a number of other cities. Indicative is the fact that originally the sculpture was made of gypsum, but twenty years later it was cast from bronze. It was installed in the Moscow park, dedicated to the December 1905 uprising, near the Krasnopresnensky district, where the most violent armed clashes took place. The sculpture "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat" was located on the background of a granite board with Lenin's statement about the struggle of the Presnensky workers.

Value

This work has become a real world masterpiece and is, perhaps, the most famous work of the artist, who also came up with such an expressive name for her. However, these days it received a somewhat ironic and even sarcastic sound, meaning too simple and straightforward way to achieve the goal. Nevertheless, the sculpture "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat", whose author was famous for a number of monumental works, became a real classic in art.