The Bronze Horseman: a Description of the Monument to Peter the Great

The city on the Neva is actually an open-air museum. Monuments of architecture, history and art are concentrated in its central part and are mostly compositional. A special place among them is the monument dedicated to Peter the Great, the Bronze Horseman. The description of the monument in detail can give any guide, in this story everything is interesting: from the creation of the sketch to the installation process. Many legends and myths are associated with it. The first one refers to the origin of the name of the sculpture. It was given much later than the erection of the monument, but it did not change over two hundred years of its existence.

Name

... Above the enclosed rock

An idol with an outstretched hand

I was sitting on a bronze horse ...

These lines are familiar to every Russian person, their author, AS Pushkin, describing in the work of the same name a monument to Peter 1, called him the Bronze Horseman. The great Russian poet, born 17 years after the installation of the monument, did not expect his poem to give a new name to the sculpture. In his work he gives the following description of the monument to the Bronze Horseman (or rather Peter 1, whose image was displayed in it):

... What a thought on his forehead!

What power is hidden in it! ..

... O powerful lord of fate! ..

Peter is not a simple man, not a great king, but practically a demigod. These epithets inspired Pushkin's monument, its scale and its fundamental character. The rider is not a brass, the sculpture itself is made of bronze, and as a pedestal a solid granite slab was used. But the image of Peter, created by Pushkin in the poem, was so in line with the energy of the whole composition, that one should not pay attention to such trifles. Until now, the description of the monument to the Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg is inextricably linked with the work of the great Russian classic.

History

Catherine II, wishing to emphasize her adherence to the reform activities of Peter, decided to erect a monument to him in the city, the founder of which he was. The first statue was created by Francesco Rastrelli, but the monument was not approved by the empress and was kept for a long time in the barns of Petersburg. The sculptor Etienne Maurice Falcone recommended to her worked on the monument for 12 years. His confrontation with Catherine ended in the fact that he left Russia, and did not see his creation in the finished form. Having studied Peter's personality according to the sources existing at the time, he created and embodied his image not as a great commander and tsar, but as a creator of Russia, which opened her the way to the sea that brought her closer to Europe. Falconet was faced with the fact that Catherine and all senior officials already had a ready image of the monument, he could only create the expected forms. If this happened, then the description of the monument to the Bronze Horseman in Petersburg would be quite different. Perhaps, then he would have another name. Falcone's work progressed slowly, this was facilitated by official squabbling, the Empress's discontent and the complexity of the image created.

Installation

Even the recognized masters of their craft did not undertake the casting of Peter himself, so Falcone was attracted by Emelian Khaylov, who cast guns. The size of the monument was not the most important problem, it was much more important to observe the weight balance. Having only three points of support, the sculpture had to be stable. The original decision was the introduction of a snake into the monument, which was a symbol of the vanquished evil. At the same time, it provided additional support for the sculptural group. We can say that the monument was created in the co-authorship of the sculptor with his pupil Marie-Anna Collot (Peter's head, face) and Russian master Fedor Gordeev (snake).

Thunder stone

No description of the monument of the Bronze Horseman is complete without mentioning its foundation (pedestal). A huge granite block was split with lightning, which is why the local population gave her the name of Thunder-stone, which was later preserved. According to Falconet's plan, the sculpture should stand on the ground, imitating a billowing wave. The stone was delivered to the Senate Square by land and water, while the work on the granite block was not stopped. All Russia and Europe followed the unusual transportation, in honor of its completion, Catherine ordered the coin to be struck. In September 1770, a granite base was erected on the Senate Square. The location of the monument was also controversial. The Empress insisted on installing a monument in the center of the square, but Falcone placed it closer to the Neva, and Peter's gaze turned to the river. Although on this occasion until today, there are fierce disputes: where did the Bronze Horseman look? The description of the monument by various researchers contains excellent answers. Some believe that the king looks at Sweden, with whom he fought. Others suggest that his gaze is turned to the sea, the exit to which was necessary for the country. There is also a point of view, based on the theory that the Bishop observes the city he founded.

The Bronze Horseman, a monument

A short description of the monument can be found in any guide to the historical and cultural sites of St. Petersburg. Peter 1 sits on a raised horse, extending one hand over the current Neva. His head is adorned with a laurel wreath, and the legs of a horse trample a snake, personifying evil (in the broadest sense of the word). On the granite foundation, according to the order of Catherine II, the inscription "Catherine II to Peter I" and the date - 1782 was made. These words on one side of the monument are written in Latin, on the other - in Russian. The weight of the monument itself is about 8-9 tons, the height is more than 5 meters without taking into account the base. This monument became a visiting card of the city on the Neva. Every person who has come to see his sights, necessarily visits the Senate Square, and each has its own opinion and, accordingly, the description of the monument to the Bronze Horseman Peter 1.

Symbolism

The power and grandeur of the monument does not leave people indifferent for two centuries. He made such an indelible impression on the great classicist Alexander Pushkin that the poet created one of his most significant creations - the Bronze Horseman. The description of the monument in the poem as an independent hero attracts the attention of the reader with its brightness and integrity of the image. This work was included in a number of symbols of Russia, as well as the monument itself. "The Bronze Horseman, the description of the monument" - an essay on this topic is written by high school students throughout the country. In this case, the role of Pushkin's poem, his vision of sculpture, appears in every essay. Since the opening of the monument and to this day in society there are ambiguous opinions about the composition as a whole. Many Russian writers used the image created by Falcone in his work. Everyone found in him a symbolism, which he interpreted in accordance with his views, but the fact that Peter I personifies the movement of Russia ahead, no doubt. This is confirmed by the Bronze Horseman. The description of the monument became for many a way of expressing one's own thoughts about the destiny of the country.

Monument

On the rock, before which the abyss opened, a mighty horse swiftly rushes in. The rider pulls the reins, lifting the animal on its hind legs, while the entire figure is personified by confidence and tranquility. According to Falconet, this was Peter I - a hero, a warrior, but also a transducer. With his hand he points to the distances that will be hiss. The struggle with the forces of nature, not too shrewd people, prejudices for him is the meaning of life. When creating the sculpture, Catherine wanted to see Peter as a great emperor, that is, Roman statues could be a model. The king must sit on a horse, holding a scepter and power in his hands , while matching ancient heroes with clothes. Falcone was categorically against, he said that the Russian sovereign can not wear a tunic, just like Julius Caesar's caftan. Peter appears in a long Russian shirt, which is covered by a raincoat fluttering in the wind - this is what the Bronze Horseman looks like. The description of the monument is impossible without some symbols introduced by Falcone into the main composition. For example, Peter sits not in the saddle, in this capacity is the skin of a bear. Its meaning is interpreted as belonging to the nation, to the people that the tsar leads. The snake under the hooves of the horse symbolizes insidiousness, enmity, ignorance, defeated by Peter.

Head

The features of the king's face are a bit idealized, but the portrait resemblance is not lost. The work on Peter's head lasted for a long time, its results did not always satisfy the empress. The posthumous mask of Peter, shot by Rastrelli, helped the student Falcone to fulfill the face of the king. Her work was highly appreciated by Catherine II, Marie-Anne Collot was appointed lifelong rent. The whole figure, the landing of the head, the furious gesture, the inner fire, expressed in the glance, show the character of Peter I.

Location

Particular attention Falcone paid to the base on which the Bronze Horseman is located. Description of the monument, writing on this topic attracted many talented people. The rock, granite block embodies the difficulties that Peter overcomes in his path. After he reached the top, his hand gesture acquires the importance of subordination, subordination to his will of all circumstances. A granite block, made in the form of a billowing wave, also indicates the conquest of the sea. Very indicative is the location of the entire monument. Peter I, the founder of the city of St. Petersburg, despite all the difficulties, creates a seaport for his power. That is why the figure is put closer to the river and deployed to her face. Peter I (the Bronze Horseman) seems to continue to peer into the distance, assess threats to his state and plan new great achievements. In order to form your own opinion about this symbol of the city on the Neva and throughout Russia, it is necessary to visit it, to feel the powerful energy of the place, reflected by the sculptor's character. Reviews of many tourists, including foreign ones, boil down to one thought: for a few minutes, the gift of speech is lost. It is striking in this case, not only the monumentality of the monument, but also the realization of its importance for the history of Russia.