The first monument to Lomonosov in St. Petersburg was erected in the 19th century on the initiative of the State Duma. Paying tribute to the great scientist, the city named it after the street, square and bridge located between the Griboedov Canal and the Fontanka. The last object erected in honor of MV Lomonosov at the end of the 20th century is a monument near the university.
Genius of Lomonosov
Mikhail Vasilievich is an outstanding person. He is a world famous scientist, naturalist, chemist, physicist, encyclopedist, historian, poet and writer. He succeeded in everything, no matter where he directed his interest. And he was interested in the world around him.
A 19-year-old man who came with a fishing caravan from the northern outback to the capital of Russia, using only his natural abilities, was able to get an excellent education in Russia and abroad. He generously gave the acquired knowledge for the benefit of his country.
Lomonosov made discoveries that changed the view of the scientific world in almost all areas. He put forward the idea of the molecular structure of the material world, laid the foundations of physical chemistry, formulated the laws of thermodynamics, invented the prototype of a helicopter. Speaking foreign languages, he made translations of fiction. He took time to write historical tragedies, and composed poems.
Mikhail Vasilyevich, having flown the career growth stages, for a long time was the rector of the leading educational institution of the city. Therefore, a monument to Lomonosov was erected in St. Petersburg near the university.
Bust of Lomonosov on the Fontanka
During the reign of Emperor Alexander III, in 1890 a decision was made to install a bronze bust to M.V. Lomonosov on the embankment of the Fontanka River, not far from Chernyshev Bridge. Academician P.P. Zabello worked on the sculptural image, the bust was cast at the A. Moran foundry. The grand opening of the monument to Lomonosov in St. Petersburg took place in September 1892.
The gray marble pedestal was created by the architect A. S. Lytkin, who depicted Lomonosov on his face as a reading boy in childhood. On the reverse side of the column is a poem by A. Pushkin “The Leader”, which the poet dedicated to the great scientist.
The bust was restored in 2000 and reinstalled on a pedestal in October 2002.
Monument to Lomonosov in St. Petersburg at Universitetskaya
This work, unlike the bust, was born more than one decade. In 1959, an official competition was announced for the design of the monument in honor of the champion of education, which contributed to the development of Russian science. 100 sculptors fought for the right to realize their ideas. The option that came close to socialist reality won. A scientist in an apron makes a discovery, sitting on a low pedestal, as a sign of his proximity to ordinary people. But further installation of the foundation, the matter did not advance. An official statement was made that the monument was too large and would not fit into the proposed area.
In the 80s, during the preparations for the celebration of the 275th anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Vasilyevich, the question was raised again about the installation of a monument to Lomonosov in St. Petersburg. The authors of the new project were artists B. Petrov and V. Sveshnikov. The opening took place on the anniversary day of November 1986.
Description of the monument
The modern monument to Mikhail Lomonosov in St. Petersburg is significant and stately. Performed in the style of classical traditions, it corresponds to the significance of the scientist to whom he is dedicated.
The figure of our great compatriot is made of bronze. Mikhail Vasilievich freely sits on a chair, his gaze is directed into the distance. From a height of ten meters, he looks at the changing surroundings, at the oldest university in the city, at modern students. His camisole is unfastened, in his hands he holds a manuscript. What is written there, a poem or a chemical formula, is unknown.
Beautiful and at the same time strict high pedestal of the monument. The author created it from granite of dark red color, and it harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape.
The university has a good tradition. Every year on September 1, hundreds of freshmen begin their long-term journey to the heights of science from the monument to Lomonosov in St. Petersburg. It is here that the city administration, administration and deanships conduct a traditional initiation into students.
In addition to the objects listed above, named after Mikhail Vasilievich, the city has a metro station and the Lomonosov Museum. The city remembers and honors the man who glorified him and his country. About himself, the scientist wrote:
"I erected a sign of immortality
Above the pyramids and stronger than copper ... ".
The scientist’s contribution to world science and art, his patriotism and service to the Fatherland — this is a sign of immortality.