city on the Neva is actually an open air museum.Monuments of architecture, history and art are concentrated in the central part and are mostly composites.A special place among them is a monument dedicated to Peter the Great - The Bronze Horseman.Description in detail of the monument can give any guide, this story interesting everything from a sketch to the installation process.Since it involves a lot of legends and myths.The first of these relates to the origin of the name of the sculpture.It was given much later construction of the monument, but it has not changed in two hundred years of its existence.
name
... to safeguard the
a rock idol with outstretched hand
sat on a bronze horse. ...
These lines are familiar to every Russian person, its author, AS Pushkin, describing the work in the same monument to Peter 1, called the Bronze Horseman.The great Russian poet, born 17 years after the installation of the monument, did not expect that his poem will give a new name for the sculpture.In his work, he gives the following description of the monument The Bronze Horseman (or rather Peter 1, whose image was displayed in it):
... What a thought on the forehead!
What power is hidden in it! ..
... About a powerful lord of fate! ..
Peter appears not just a man, not a great king, and practically a demigod.These epithets inspired Pushkin monument, its scale and fundamental.The rider is not copper, sculpture itself is made of bronze and the pedestal was used as a solid granite block.But the image of Peter, created by Pushkin's poem is so consistent energy throughout the composition, which is to pay attention to the little things not worth it.To date, a description of the monument The Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg, is inextricably linked to the work of the great Russian classics.
history
Catherine II, to emphasize its commitment to the reform efforts of Peter, decided to erect a monument to him in the city, of which he was the founder.The first article created Francesco Rastrelli, but the monument has not received the approval of the Empress, and for a long time kept in barns Petersburg.Recommended she sculptor Etienne Maurice Falconet worked on the monument for 12 years.His confrontation with Catherine over the fact that he left Russia, never saw his creation in the finished form.Having studied the personality of Peter on existing sources at the time, he created and implemented its image, not as a great military leader and king, but as the creator of Russia, opened her way to the sea, to bring closer it to Europe.Falcone faced with the fact that Catherine and all senior officials have already had a ready-made image of the monument, it was only to create the expected form.If that happened, then the description of the monument The Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg would be quite different.Perhaps then he would have had another name.Work progressed slowly Falcone, contributed to this bureaucratic squabbles, resentment of the Empress and the complexity of the created image.
Installation
During the casting of the figure of Peter on horseback were not taken even recognized experts in their field, so attracted Yemelyan Haylova Falcone, who cast a cannon.The size of the monument was not the main problem, it is much more important to keep the weight balance.With only three points of support, the sculpture had to be sustained.The original solution was the introduction of a monument to the snake, which is the symbol of the vanquished evil.At the same time it provides additional support for the sculptural group.We can say that the monument was created in collaboration with the sculptor his student Marie-Anne Collot (Peter's head, face) and the Russian master Fyodor Gordeev (the snake).
Thunder-stone
No description of the monument The Bronze Horseman is complete without a mention of its base (pedestal).A huge granite boulder was split by lightning, which is why the local population has given it the name of the Thunder-stone, which later survived.According to the plan Falcone sculpture should stand on the ground, simulating the swelling waves.The stone was delivered to the Senate Square on land and water, and the work on the granite boulders scabbling continued.For extraordinary transportation watched the whole of Russia and Europe, after its completion Ekaterina ordered to mint a medal.In September 1770 a granite base was installed at the Senate Square.The location of the monument is also controversial.Empress insisted on the installation of the monument in the center of the square, but Falcone put it closer to the Neva, the river faces and eyes of Peter.While on the subject to date conducted a fierce debate: where stared Bronze Horseman?Description of the monument contains various investigators excellent response options.Some believe that the king is looking at Sweden, which fought.Others suggest that his eyes are turned to the sea, access to which was necessary for the country.Also, there is a point of view, the basis of which is the theory that the ruler of the city which overlooks stuffy.
Bronze Horseman, a monument
Short description of the monument can be found in any guidebook on the historical and cultural sites of St. Petersburg.1 Peter sitting on a rearing horse, extending one arm above the current near the Neva River.His head was decorated with a laurel wreath, and the legs of the horse trampling a serpent, the embodiment of evil (in the broadest sense of the word).On a granite base on the orders of Catherine II carried the inscription "Catherine II to Peter I" and the date - 1782.These words from one side of the monument are written in Latin, the other - in Russian.The weight of the monument - about 8-9 tons, height - 5 meters without foundation.This monument has become a hallmark of the city on the Neva.Everyone who came to inspect his sights must visit the Senate Square, and each formed their own opinion and, consequently, the description of the Bronze Horseman monument to Peter 1.
Symbolism
power and majesty of the monument does not leave people indifferent tofor two centuries.On the great classics of Pushkin, he made such a lasting impression that the poet has created one of his most important works - "The Bronze Horseman".Description of the monument in the poem as an independent character draws the reader's attention by its brightness and integrity of the image.This work was included in a series of symbols of Russia as a monument to himself."The Bronze Horseman, a monument to the description" - an essay on this topic write high school students across the country.The role of Pushkin's poem, his vision of sculpture featured in each essay.Since the opening of the monument to the present day society, there are mixed views on the composition as a whole.Many Russian writers have used an image created by Falcone in his work.Everyone is in it symbolism, which treated in accordance with their views, but the fact that Peter I personifies Russia's movement forward, there is no doubt.This confirms the Bronze Horseman.Description of the monument has become for many people a way to express their thoughts about the fate of the country.
Monument
on a rock in front of which the depths, a powerful horse runs fast.The rider pulls the reins, lifting the animal on its hind legs, with his whole figure represents the confidence and peace of mind.According to Falcone, so it was Peter I - the hero, a soldier, but the inverter.Hand it points to the distance, which will be subject to it.The fight against the forces of nature, not too farsighted people, prejudices for him is the meaning of life.When creating a sculpture of Catherine wanted to see Peter as the great emperor, t. E. A model could be Roman statues.The king has to sit on a horse, holding a scepter and orb, with matching ancient hero was attached by means of clothes.Falcone was categorically against it, he said that the Russian emperor can not wear a tunic, as well as Julius Caesar coat.Peter appears in Russian long shirt that covers waving in the wind cloak - that's what a Bronze Horseman.Description of the monument can not be without some of the characters included in the basic composition of Falcone.For example, Peter is not sitting in the saddle, this acts as a skin of a bear.Its value is treated as belonging to the nation, the people, who leads the king.Snake under the hooves of the horse symbolizes deceit, hatred, ignorance, defeated Peter.
head
facial features of the king a little idealized, but it is not lost portrait.Work on the head of Peter lasted longer, the results did not meet the empress constantly.Peter's death mask, taken Rastrelli, Falcone helped the student to fulfill the king's face.Her work has been highly appreciated by Catherine II, Marie-Anne Collot was appointed life annuity.The whole figure, landing head, furious gesture, inner fire, expressed in his eyes, show the character of Peter I.
Location
Particular attention is paid to Falcone base on which the Bronze Horseman.Description of the monument, the work on this subject has attracted many talented people.Rock, a granite boulder represents the difficulties that overcomes Peter on his way.Once he reached the top, it becomes important gesture subjection, subordination to his will all the circumstances.Granite slabs, made in the form of surging waves, also points to the conquest of maritime spaces.Very significant is the location of the entire monument.Peter I, the founder of St. Petersburg, in spite of all the difficulties created by the sea port for its power.That is why the figure placed closer to the river and rolled to face her.Peter I (Bronze Horseman) as continuing to peer into the distance, to assess threats to the state and to plan new great things.In order to make your own opinion about this symbol of the city on the Neva River and the whole of Russia, you must visit it, to feel the powerful energy of the place, reflected the character of the sculptor.Reviews of many tourists, including foreign ones, are reduced to one thought for a few minutes lost the gift of speech.Striking in this case is not just a monument, but also awareness of its importance for the history of Russia.
