Monument to Lermontov in Moscow: photo and description

June 4, 1965, on a sunny summer day, the grand opening of the monument to Mikhail Lermontov Mikhail Yuryevich in his homeland - in Moscow. The ceremony was attended by poets, writers, researchers, students, schoolchildren and just workers. From the rostrum there were congratulatory speeches and poems.

The idea to create a monument to Lermontov in Moscow appeared in 1941. It was in the year of the 100th anniversary of the death of the poet that the capital government adopted a resolution on the construction of the memorial. But the Great Patriotic War that began soon did not allow the realization of the idea immediately.

Only in the early 60-ies there was an opportunity to return to this idea. Several competitions were held for the best project of the monument. And in 1964, on the 150th anniversary of the birth of the poet, the project of the first monument to Lermontov in Moscow was approved. Work began on its manufacture.

Moscow in the life of M.Yu. Lermontov

In Moscow, Lermontov lived a total of not more than 5 years. But the most important events were connected with this city in its destiny. Here in October 1814 he was born. True, a few months later, at the beginning of 1815, he was taken to Tarkhany, to his grandmother's estate on the line of his mother, where he was brought up to 13 years of age.

In 1827 Lermontov again settles in Moscow to get an education. He studies first in a boarding school at the Moscow Imperial University, and then goes to the university itself.

Finally, the beginning of the poet's creative activity is connected with Moscow. In 1830, the magazine "Athenaeus" appeared his poem "Spring". This was Lermontov's first publication. Since that time he confidently entered the Russian literature.

The first monument to the poet

Talks about the creation of the monument to Lermontov began as early as the end of the XIX century, approximately 40 years after his tragic death in a duel. In Pyatigorsk there was an initiative group that began to promote this idea, seeking government approval and collecting funds.

Then it was proposed to install a monument to Lermontov in Moscow. But in 1880 there were noisy celebrations on the occasion of the opening there of the monument to Pushkin (the work of Opekushin AM), therefore from the new grandiose project the Moscow mayor was forced to refuse.

The creation of the monument was preceded by many years of preparatory work. In 1889, the first monument to Lermontov appeared in Pyatigorsk.

Other monuments Lermontov

Following the monument established in Pyatigorsk, Lermontov memorials began to appear in other cities of Russia. In 1892 - in Penza (sculptor Gintsburg I.Ya.), in 1896 - in Petersburg (Creightan VP), in 1900 - in the Moscow region Serednikovo (Golubkina AS). Twice an attempt was made to establish a monument on the site of the duel of Lermontov in Pyatigorsk. The first project was implemented in 1901 (author Baikov AA), but after 6 years, the sculpture fell into disrepair, tk. Was made of gypsum. A new monument in the same place was installed in 1915 (author Mikeshin BM).

Monuments of M.Yu. Lermontov was installed in Tambov, Gelendzhik, the Tarkhany Museum-Reserve (Penza Region), and in Grozny. It so happened that in the homeland of the poet, in Moscow, his memory was immortalized almost in the last place. But the Moscow monument stands out among others and in the skill of execution, and in its spatial solution. He was largely innovative, but this in his time.

The choice of a place for a monument to Lermontov in Moscow

The question of the place where the monument will be installed was resolved quickly. Members of the commission unanimously chose the territory in the Red Gate Square, which since 1941 bears the name of the poet. Not far from this square was the house where M.Yu. Lermontov.

Monument to Lermontov in Moscow: preparatory stage

The consciousness of the monument was preceded by many years of work. Contests for the best project have been held since 1958. The authoritative jury from the members of the Union of Artists of the USSR studied dozens of options, for a long time not finding one that would satisfy them in full. A variety of the plot and form were presented to the monuments Lermontov, they could not be found, but there was a verbal description.

Some sculptors relied on a dynamic imaginative solution, choosing an unusual composition, posture, situation. They Lermontov was placed on a rock, on a horse, sitting on the ground, on a ledge of a mountain. Such projects were interesting in their own way, but did not correspond to the place that was determined for the future monument.

Other authors focused their attention on conveying the inner state of the poet, using expressive gestures, turning the head, and so on. But excessive expression, according to the jury, did not match Lermontov's image.

The jury was interested in projects that offered a spatial solution to the monument, analyzed how it would fit into the surrounding landscape.

A group of authors led by I.D. Brodsky at all stages of the competition was among the contenders for victory. It was their project in 1964 that was approved.

Author's collective

Isaak Davidovich Brodsky was the most mature member of the winning creative group. He fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, and after his graduation he entered the Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts, where he studied with the famous sculptor M.G. Manizer. Before starting work on the monument Lermontov Brodsky already had the experience of building monuments. In 1954-1955 he immortalized the memory of A.M. Gorky in Tesselli and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, made monuments to revolutionary leaders.

Two young architects - Nikolay Nikolaevich Milovidov and Grigory Efimovich Saevich - took part in the work. They were responsible for the spatial solution of the monument, clarified its size, position on the square, analyzed how the sculpture would be in harmony with the surrounding buildings.

Invaluable help to the creative group was provided by researcher IL. Andronikov, without his advice and tips, the monument to Lermontov in Moscow would not have received such portrait and psychological accuracy.

Material selection

The figure of the poet was decided to be made of bronze. This is one of the most traditional materials. Due to its plastic properties, it allows you to create very complex compositions, to transfer the smallest details. Monuments Lermontov in Russia in bulk are made of this alloy.

From bronze the decorative lattice is made, which makes up a single ensemble with the monument. The remaining parts of this ensemble (pedestal, benches, platform, pylon support pylon) are made of ground gray granite. Such a combination of materials of different texture and properties made it possible to arrange semantic accents and achieve maximum expressiveness.

Description of the monument

Monuments Lermontov in Russia are different in terms of technique and impact on the viewer. The Moscow memorial is laconic and at the same time very expressive. The figure of the poet has rigid contours, formed by large smooth planes, the boundaries of which converge at acute angles. This gives tension to the pose and figure. It seems that behind the external restraint lies a huge internal energy.

A living and dynamic sculpture makes the interpretation of clothing. The figure is enclosed in a strict military coat. But the gusts of the wind blow his floors and shake the collar, revealing the poet's chest to meet the elements. Stiffness, squeezing in the vice is symbolically expressed and in the pose of hands, linked behind the back. However, the poet's head is driven in a volitional movement aside as a sign that he does not want to obey.

A lot of effort was spent on achieving a portrait resemblance. Here, especially advice IL. Andronikov. As a basis, Lermontov's self-portrait, created in 1837, was taken.

Artistic details

The first thing you should pay attention to when speaking about the features of the monument is the form of the pedestal. In all the composition of the memorial, the pedestal is the most modest and neutral part. The granite pillar, slightly widened in the middle, simultaneously lifts the figure of the poet over the surrounding space and connects it with it, tk. From the same material the platform is executed. A pillar devoid of any decor does not distract attention from the main part of the memorial.

An important part of the composition is a wide bench stretching along one side of the site. In the middle of the last century this was an innovative solution of the surrounding space. At the present time, this method is widespread, which indicates its great potential and advantages.

Another important element of the ensemble is the figured lattice, which captured the silhouettes of Lermontov's heroes - Demon and Mtsyri. Between them a lone sail is depicted on a tall, suspended wave. Lattice performs not only a decorative role, but also separates the territory of the monument from the rest of the park.

In many Russian cities there are monuments to Lermontov, the photo does not always allow us to convey their expression, harmonious connection with the surrounding landscape. Undoubtedly, the monument established in Moscow is one of the top three.