When was the monument to Minin and Pozharsky created? Monument to Minin and Pozharsky
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky
Monument to Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, one of the most famous monuments Moscow. Located on Red Square, next to St. Basil's Cathedral. The author of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky is Martos Ivan Petrovich.
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky was the first monument in Moscow erected not in honor of the sovereign, but in honor of national heroes. Funds for the monument were collected by popular subscription. Martos worked on the monument from 1804 to 1817. This is the best creation of I. P. Martos, who managed to embody in it high ideals civic valor and patriotism. The sculptor depicted the moment when Kuzma Minin, pointing his hand towards Moscow, hands Prince Pozharsky an ancient sword and calls on him to stand at the head of the Russian army. Leaning on the shield, the wounded governor rises from his bed, which symbolizes the awakening of national self-awareness in a difficult hour for the Fatherland.
The figure of Minin reigns supreme in the composition. His inviting gesture will forever be remembered. A hand thrown up not only calls on Pozharsky, it seems to be addressed to the whole people, raising them up to fight. Although his courageous face resembles the face of Zeus in its features, his hair cut into brackets gives him the character of a Russian peasant. The chiton, trimmed along the edge with a pattern, resembles a Russian shirt. The energetically sculpted torso and wide stride give Minin’s entire figure strength and confidence. Pozharsky, who has not yet recovered from his wounds, sits on the bed. His figure in antique attire is somewhat indecisive; it was generally less successful for Martos, but the main movement is clearly expressed: he responded to Minin’s call. In one hand Pozharsky holds a shield with the image of the Savior, and the other is placed on the sword held out by Minin. As in the engraving, the sword is the center of the composition and links both figures, symbolically establishing their unity. The front bas-relief has undergone some changes: it has become more laconic, there are fewer figures and their interpretation is more expressive. The bas-relief is divided into two parts. On the right - a group of men brings abundant donations, on the left - a group of women. Compared to the first version, this group has become even more expressive. Kneeling women don't give up their jewelry easily, but smooth movement hands, as it were, laying them on the altar of the Fatherland. The women's poses are significant and solemn. Their clothes are antique, but Martos also introduces a Russian motif, decorating their heads with kokoshniks.
Bas-relief on the monument to Minun and Pozharsky
The group draws attention to female figures, which depicts a father with two sons. Martos’s favorite student S.I. Galberg, who sculpted his father’s head, gave her the portrait features of his teacher. The reason for this, apparently, was that Martos’s son fought in Kutuzov’s army in 1812. The center of the bas-relief is the offerings piled on the ground. Above the bas-relief is the inscription: “To Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky, grateful Russia in the summer of 1818.”
On the other side of the pedestal, a bas-relief is dedicated to Pozharsky’s victory over his enemies. The bas-relief is also divided into two parts - one depicts Russian warriors, calm and courageous, led by Pozharsky, whose horse is trampling the enemy, on the other - a group of Poles is running, looking back in horror at the victors.
However, this bas-relief was less successful for Martos than the front one; it lacks the tension and expressiveness that are so characteristic of Martos’s work. It is important to note that the bas-relief with the offerings of Nizhny Novgorod residents is placed on the front side, and the bas-relief dedicated to Pozharsky is on the back. With this, Martos emphasized not only the importance of Minin, but also his role in the liberation of Moscow.
Symbolism of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky belongs to those works that, when viewed from different points visions gradually reveal their ideological meaning. Even from a distance, the silhouette of the monument clearly emerges, and the first thing we pay attention to is Minin’s raised hand, his inviting gesture. As we come closer, the courageous figure of Minin stands in front of us, calling on Pozharsky to rise from his bed and lead the militia. With his excited gaze directed forward and the movement of his hand taking the sword, Pozharsky seems to be responding to the call. If you go around the monument on the other side, you can see that Pozharsky, leaning his hand on the shield, seems to rise to meet Minin. From the back side, the hands of Minin and Pozharsky crossed on the sword are clearly visible, symbolizing the strong unity of both heroes. So excellent compositional solution the whole group makes it expressive from any point of view.
The history of a country and a people cannot be contained on the meager pages of textbooks or the lengthy discussions of monographs. She announces herself in street names settlements, facades of ancient buildings - architectural monuments, monuments and sculptures in honor of certain significant dates and great personalities. We will talk about one such composition in this article.
Folk heroes
The Kremlin, the chimes, St. Basil's Cathedral are the main attractions of the capital, its symbols. However, the list of them is incomplete without one more important structure. With detailed explanation what kind of folk heroes they are and what they became famous for is included in all tourist brochures and city guides. This is understandable. After all, majestic sculptural composition, cast from copper and brass, has been towering near the Kremlin for almost two centuries. And it is no longer possible to imagine the heart of Moscow without its heroic defenders, as if history itself had been placed here for centuries to protect the peace and tranquility of its citizens. And the description of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky will be incomprehensible without an excursion to times long past, to the era of the Time of Troubles.
Appearance of the monument
The sculpture embodies those ideals of high citizenship, patriotism, personal consciousness and filial duty to the homeland, which inspired its prototypes to accomplish their feats. Its heroes are representatives of the people's militia and Dmitry Pozharsky. The first stands at full height, energetically throwing back his hand, pointing in this inviting gesture to Moscow, which must be defended from the Polish invaders. He hands his brother in arms a sword so that he, as a commander, can lead the people's militia. The base of the monument is decorated with bas-reliefs.
Characteristics of images
The description of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky suggests that the figure of Minin attracts attention first of all. It forms the semantic center of the monument. With his famous gesture, Kuzma calls on the entire people - not only his contemporaries, but also future generations - to defend the Fatherland from any encroachment on its independence.
A proud face reminds you of the right expressive features portraits of heroes of antiquity. But the beard and hair cut with a “bracket” indicate the hero’s clearly Russian, common origin. His shirt, on the one hand, is clearly a peasant blouse. At the same time, it is associated with the Greek chiton. Thus, the description of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky is based on the original Russian and ancient traditions. This further exalts the feat of national heroes. It is characteristic that it was the commoner, the townsman, who was chosen by the sculptor for the basis of the composition.
A powerful torso, a long stride - everything radiates with strength, energy, inspiration, confidence in the rightness of the cause in the name of which the hero rose to fight. A monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected, and the second character of the composition is no less important. Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich is wounded, but Minin’s call does not leave him indifferent. Pozharsky rises from the bed, grabbing his sword with one hand and leaning on his shield with the other. His gestures are also energetic, and one can feel will and determination in his hands. And the image of the Savior on the shield affirms the holiness of the heroism of the defenders of Moscow and Russia. The sword in the sculpture is not only a weapon, but also a symbol of military valor, the unity of aspirations and thoughts of the characters, awakening the consciousness of the people in times of trouble and hard times of war.
First bas-relief
The author of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky is the sculptor Ivan Martos. He decorated the base of his work with two allegorical bas-reliefs. Litsevoy talks about how Minin collects donations for the people's army. The author depicted mournful and majestic figures of women in kokoshniks - peasant women and hawthorns, giving their valuables to the needs of the army. Their kneeling silhouettes symbolize the holiness of the act. The male figures enhance the impression. This is a father giving two sons to the army. It was not by chance that Martos introduced such a plot. The monument to Minin and Pozharsky glorifies another feat of Russian weapons - the Patriotic War of 1812. One of the sculptor’s sons fought and died in Kutuzov’s army. Depicting the scene of parental blessing, the author of the monument emphasizes the spiritual connection and glorious traditions of the feat. On top, the front bas-relief is decorated with a thank you inscription.
Second bas-relief
The sculptor of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky dedicated the second bas-relief to battle scenes. He depicted episodes of battles between the Russian army led by the prince, whose horse tramples Polish soldiers under its hooves. They run away in panic and look back at the courageous, concentrated and stern faces of the militia. This is how the liberation of Moscow is shown. This bas-relief, like the previous one, is full of dynamics, expressiveness and life-like authenticity. But, emphasizing folk basis feat of the Russians, Martos still places scenes of collecting donations on the front side.
Historical background
And now a few words about why the monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected. Moscow at the beginning of the distant 17th century. Troubled times, as they were called in the history of Russia. After the death of Ivan the Terrible and Boris Godunov, the country, weakened by boyar intrigues for the throne and power, was a tasty for enemies: the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Swedes and Germans. And although their first invasion, led by False Dmitry, ended in defeat, peace and quiet did not come to Russian soil. The year 1610 was a turning point in this struggle. When, during the “Seven Boyars”, the gates of Moscow were opened to the Poles and an agreement was signed to call Vladislav Sigismundovich to the kingdom, Minin and Pozharsky rallied the people, organized a militia and saved the Fatherland. The first raised funds for the Russian army, the second led the Russian people and led them to fight. About 3 years of intense war culminated in the victory of Russian weapons. Russia was saved.
History of the monument
The idea to embody in sculpture the memory of the liberation of Russia from the Polish invasion belongs to the members of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Science and the Arts. In 1803, they organized a fundraiser for the monument. At first they thought to install the sculpture in Nizhny Novgorod - the homeland of the militia. Emperor Alexander approved the idea and issued a decree to facilitate the development of projects in every possible way. Among the contestants who exhibited their versions of the monument, Martos was the undoubted winner. Considering the enormous ideological and patriotic importance of the project, it was decided by the Highest Command to install the composition in Moscow, and in Nizhny - a marble obelisk. After the victory in the War of 1812, the importance of the project increased even more. At the opening of the monument, a ceremonial parade of troops was held. Since then, it has been decorating Moscow - the first monument in Russia in honor of the liberating people!
The monument to Kozma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, two national liberator heroes, is one of the most famous Moscow monuments and perhaps the most symbolic. Firstly, it stands in the very center of Moscow - on Red Square, in front of. Secondly, it was established not with state money, but with public donations. Thirdly, he depicts not a sovereign, not a poet, not a leader, but a commoner and a prince. Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky are not depicted at all as befits medieval Russian warriors. But let's deal with everything in order.
Why they?
Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky lived at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. It was a difficult time for Russia, which is called “The Troubles.” The Rurik dynasty was interrupted - there was no legitimate sovereign in Rus'. False princes, who are financially and politically supported by powerful Poles, are chasing the Russian throne. After the overthrow of False Dmitry I, the Poles and Lithuanians, taking advantage of the disunity of the Russian kingdom, openly attacked Moscow. It begins. While the interventionists dominate the Kremlin, 400 kilometers from the capital - in Nizhny Novgorod - headman Kozma Minin is gradually gathering a people's militia, led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. In February 1612, the militia went to Moscow, calling for volunteers along the way. From August to October, the militia army fought a long and bloody battle in Moscow with the Poles and eventually successfully expelled them.
Moscow was rarely captured by foreigners: in the 14th century it was plundered mongol khan Tokhtamysh, and later, in the 19th century, Napoleon. Only three times in 700 years of history of Moscow and Russian state! And each time, deliverance was achieved at the cost of numerous casualties and destruction. And Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, who voluntarily and without any order gathered and led the liberation movement, became for Russia a symbol of freedom and indestructibility.
Why here?
The monument did not always stand at St. Basil's Cathedral. Initially they wanted to put it in Nizhny Novgorod - after all, the legendary militia was gathered there. But Minin and Pozharsky fought near the walls of the Kremlin! In addition, the monument was erected after the War of 1812 and the expulsion of Napoleon from Moscow. Therefore, Emperor Alexander II decided to erect a monument in Moscow and announced a fundraiser throughout the country. Was announced art competition, at which the project of the sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos received approval. The casting of the monument was carried out in St. Petersburg. The fact that the creation of the monument was truly a national effort is indicated by the sign: “To Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky, grateful Russia.”
However, the monument did not immediately take its current place. Initially on Red Square it stood in front of the building 
nium of the shopping arcades (nowadays the GUM building stands on this site), which was built by the architect Osip Bove after the Patriotic War of 1812. This extended building, ending with a flat, wide dome, echoed another structure of similar architecture - the Kremlin Senate, built in the 18th century by Matvey Kazakov. They stood opposite each other, on the same axis, and between them ran a long open area. Minin’s hand gesture, simultaneously triumphant and patronizing, seemed to echo the domes of these two buildings, “covered” them and at the same time pointed to the Kremlin towers. In the 1930s of the 20th century, the monument was moved to the cathedral. Official version said that he was interfering with parades. And if you believe the popular joke, one of the party leaders did not like the fact that Minin took the sword with one hand and pointed at it with the other.
Why is that?
Look at the monument. Why is Minin standing and Pozharsky sitting? Why are both Russian soldiers dressed so strangely? Where is the legendary battle with the Poles? The author of the monument, sculptor Ivan Martos, also considered all these questions.
At first, he decided to portray Minin and Pozharsky in the image of ancient heroes, but in different ways: Minin, as a representative common people, - barefoot and with his head uncovered, and the sculptor decided to put Prince Pozharsky in princely boots, place a Roman helmet on his head, and pin his cloak with a fibula ancient Russian princes. Then Pozharsky was conceived just like antique hero- in sandals, and Minin - in a simple peasant Russian shirt. Ultimately, Martos depicted both barefoot, without unnecessary details (nudity in an ancient figure is a sign of a hero). Thus, the sculptor equalized their significance and deprived them of any signs of time, emphasizing that their feat will forever remain in the memory of people.
However, of course, there are signs of “Russianness” in the monument. The face of the Savior is depicted on Pozharsky’s shield - it practically becomes an icon. And the long Russian sword, only partially removed from its scabbard, resembles a cross. The defense of the Fatherland in Rus' has always been associated with the defense of faith. Standing Minin hands the sword to Pozharsky, as if calling him to lead the militia. Pozharsky, although he is sitting, is full of inner energy 
gies, like a compressed spring, ready to straighten out. He is already taking the sword, and behind his back is an ancient Russian (and not at all Roman) helmet. The reliefs on the pedestal depict events that occurred during the Troubles, including famous battle on Red Square on August 24, 1612. According to legend, on the relief under the inscription Martos depicted himself, giving his two sons to the militia.
One of the most famous monuments in Russia, dedicated to heroes of the people's militia of 1612 - to the Novgorod zemstvo elder Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. An object cultural heritage, located next to St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square.
The first monument, which laid the foundation for the decoration of monuments not to the sovereign, but to great people who glorified them with their deeds or exploits, was in early XIX century, a majestic monument to the heroes of the second people's militia - the Novgorod headman and prince, who liberated Moscow from Polish, Lithuanian and Swedish invaders in 1612.
Description of the monument
On a high granite pedestal there are figures of heroes-liberators of Russia - Novgorodian Kuzma Minin, standing in full height with raised right hand and calling on Prince Dmitry Pozharsky to liberate the Motherland from the invaders, and the prince himself, sitting in front of him on a bed, wounded, in one hand holding a shield with the image of the Savior, and with the other hand leaning on a sword extended to him by K. Minin, and full of determination to lead the people's militia . Both figures by the famous Russian sculptor XIX century Ivan Petrovich Martos dressed in antique attire with elements of Russian costume and subtle nuances in some details of the characters’ appearance. Thus, Kuzma Minin’s Roman toga is in harmony with his “bracketed” hairstyle, characteristic of a Russian peasant, and the tunic trimmed with a pattern resembles a farmer’s shirt.
The base of the monument is decorated with bas-reliefs on both sides. The obverse shows a militia fundraising scene consisting of two groups of people. The right group depicts men making donations, and the left group depicts kneeling women in antique clothes, but Russian kokoshniks, laying their jewelry on the altar of victory. In the background you can see the figures of men - a father and his sons, whom he blesses for a feat of arms. Portrait likeness father's relationship with the sculptor I. Martos himself is no coincidence - his son fought the French in the army in 1812. In the very center of the bas-relief, the sculptor depicted donations brought by people and piled on the ground. On top of the composition are engraved words of gratitude from the descendants to the liberators of the Fatherland.
Reverse side The bas-relief is occupied by the plot of the expulsion of the interventionists, also consisting of two compositional parts. In one part, courageous Russians, led by Prince D. Pozharsky, are depicted, whose horse tramples the defeated enemy under its hoof, in the other - enemies fleeing in horror.
Background to the creation of the monument
Two centuries after the tragic period in history medieval Russia- The Troubles, which ended with the expulsion of foreign invaders from Moscow and the victory over Poland in 1612, recent graduates of the gymnasium at the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, who created a literary and social organization - the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Science and the Arts, in 1803 made a proposal to perpetuate in bronze in memory of national heroes - K. Minin and D. Pozharsky. It was proposed to install the monument in the center of the people's militia.
The sculptor Ivan Martos liked this idea, and in 1804 he began work on the project. The outstanding monumentalist presented the first engraving of the future monument to the public in 1807. And already in 1808, residents of Nizhny Novgorod submitted a petition to the emperor to announce a competition for best project monument. In addition to Ivan Martos, well-known sculptors and architects of the early 19th century took part in the project competition: Ivan Prokofiev, Vasily Demut-Malinovsky, Stepan Pimenov, Andrei Mikhailov and the Frenchman Jean Thomas de Thomon. In November 1808, the winner of the design competition was the sculptor I. Martos. Emperor Alexander I issued a decree to begin collecting donations for the construction of a majestic monument. In early January 1809, nationwide subscription began, and by all accounts provincial cities and small villages in Russia were sent engravings depicting the future monument. Alexander I himself was interested in glorifying the national heroes who brought freedom and independence Russian Empire from the Poles, so he was the first to contribute twenty thousand rubles for the construction of a historical monument.
Funds were collected by what is called “the whole world.” Participants in the subscription included representatives noble classes, merchants, townspeople and artisans. By 1811, the amount needed to begin work had been collected, and the names of all subscribers were printed and made public. By this time, the final location of the monument, as important monument heroic past of Russia, Moscow was determined, and Nizhny Novgorod it was decided to decorate it with a marble obelisk in honor of the militia heroes - K. Minin and D. Pozharsky.
History of the creation of the monument
Over small and big models The sculptor worked on the monument throughout 1812, only briefly interrupting work due to the outbreak of the Patriotic War. The victory over the French was another significant event, against the background of which the creation of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky acquired a deeper, sacred meaning, namely, the personification of Russia’s victory over its enemies. The press covered not only the progress of work on the creation of the monument and the technologies used by the craftsmen in the manufacture of parts of the monument, but a series of articles was also devoted to this topic, in the discussion of which they took part Active participation everyone is interested. In February 1813 large model The monument was presented to the imperial family and the public. The mother of Alexander I, the Dowager Empress, liked the model, and members of the Imperial Academy of Arts equally appreciated it.
To cast such a significant monument, the best foundry master at that time, the head of the Foundry House of the Academy of Arts, Vasily Ekimov, was chosen, and over a thousand pounds of copper were prepared. Preparatory work continued almost until the end of the summer of 1816, and on August 5 the casting, which lasted ten hours, was completed. Such grandiose works had never happened in Europe in those years. For which V. Ekimov received the Order of Anna II degree and a bonus of twenty thousand rubles, and the sculptor I. Martos himself received a pension of four thousand rubles a year for life.
The pedestal was originally planned to be made of Siberian marble, but, taking into account the considerable size of the monument, the marble was replaced with granite. Several huge pieces of this stone were delivered from Finland, at that time a former province of the Russian Empire, and the famous St. Petersburg stonecutter Samson Sukhanov made a pedestal from three granite blocks.
Copy of the monument in Nizhny Novgorod and others Interesting Facts associated with a legendary event
A copy of the Moscow monument, just five centimeters lower than the original, was created by Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, even reproducing the inscription on the pedestal, only without indicating the year. The monument was erected on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin near the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. As historians have determined, it was from the porch of this church that in the fall of 1611 Kuzma Minin called for gathering the people’s militia. Grand opening monument occurred on November 4, 2005 - National Unity Day, which shortly before, in December 2004, was included in the list of public holidays by an amendment to federal law"About the days of military glory."
One version of the reason for the transfer of the monument in 1931 is considered to be the event that occurred after the death of the leader of the revolution, when his comrades began a brutal struggle for power. Then, according to legend, an inscription appeared on the pedestal of the monument: “Look, Prince, what kind of scum has started in the Kremlin today.” The inscription was immediately erased, but the monument was moved.
The feat of the Russian people - K. Minin and D. Pozharsky is forever inscribed in the tablets of the history of the Russian state, and the monument created in honor of the people's heroes serves to the younger generation an example of dedication, heroism, courage and readiness to give his life for the Fatherland.
Today, any Muscovite or guest capital city can see the monument to citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky, erected in 1818 in the capital. The plot is very simple and devoid of any pomp: the tradesman Kuzma Minin stands next to Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, pointing him to the Kremlin. Minin calls on the prince to join the people's militia and drive out the invaders from his native land.
Pozharsky sits, leaning on his shield, listening to the words of his comrade. His whole posture expresses his determination to immediately repel the enemy.
It is interesting that the sculptor initially intended to place his heroes somewhat differently: both were supposed to stand, discussing a plan for unification and joint military action. However, one of the representatives of the aristocracy was indignant: “How, let a commoner talk on equal terms with a nobleman?! This is bad manners! And so it happened that Ivan Martos, the author of the monument, sat Pozharsky down, and left Minin standing in front of him.
The idea of creating a monument folk heroes, which liberated Rus' from hordes of foreign invaders who wanted to profit from other people's property, arose in 1803 among members of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Science and the Arts.
The monument was supposed to decorate not the capital, but Nizhny Novgorod. This would completely reflect historical reality: after all, the people’s militia gathered precisely in Nizhny. They announced a competition for the best project; Ivan Martos’ idea turned out to be the most consistent with the aspirations of the Russians, and they have already begun to prepare for the casting of the monument. But after the War of 1812, which raged throughout Russia, it was decided that the monument should be erected in Moscow. For Russians it also began to symbolize victory in Patriotic War, so the capital seemed a more suitable place.
The monument was cast from 1,100 pounds of copper in St. Petersburg. This became a kind of record: never before in the entire history of Europe has it been possible to produce such a powerful monument in “one sitting.” To make the pedestal, tons of granite were delivered from Finland to St. Petersburg.
And then the monument began its great journey. It took him 3 whole months to get from northern capital to Moscow, bypassing, by the way, Nizhny Novgorod, where, according to the original plan, he was supposed to “settle.” In February 1818, with a large crowd of people, in the presence of Emperor Alexander I and other representatives of the august family, the monument was solemnly opened.
Since then, it has stood near St. Basil's Cathedral, reminding every Russian of the heroes of whom we must be proud. By the way, Nizhny was also not left without a monument: on November 4, 2005 (when National Unity Day was celebrated for the first time), a slightly smaller copy of the Moscow monument, donated by Zurab Tsereteli, appeared in this city.
How many of them were there in Rus' - real heroes, thanks to whom it survived, withstood many serious tests our homeland. It’s a pity that not everyone can have monuments erected. Let's be proud of them and, walking near the walls of the Moscow Kremlin, mentally thank all the saviors of the Russian land - Minin, Pozharsky, and those whose names remain unknown to us.
Brief information about the monument to Minin and Pozharsky.
