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 occupied by the monument dedicated to Peter the Great - the Bronze Horseman. A description of the monument can be given in sufficient detail by any guide; in this story, everything is interesting: from creating a sketch to the installation process. Many legends and myths are associated with it. The first of these relates to the origin of the name of the sculpture. It was given much later than the erection of the monument, but has not changed over two hundred years of its existence.
Title
... over the fenced rock
Idol with outstretched hand
He sat on a bronze horse. ...
These lines are familiar to every Russian person, their author, A. S. Pushkin, describing the monument to Peter the Great in his eponymous work , called it The Bronze Horseman. The great Russian poet, born 17 years after the installation of the monument, did not assume that his poem would give a new name to the sculpture. In his work, he gives the following description of the Bronze Horseman monument (or rather Peter the Great, whose image was displayed in it):
... What a thought on the brow!
What power is hidden in it! ..
... O powerful sovereign of fate! ..
Peter appears not as a simple man, not as a great king, but as an almost demigod. The monument, its scale and fundamental nature inspired Pushkin to these epithets. The horseman is not copper, the sculpture itself is made of bronze, and a solid block of granite was used as a pedestal. But the image of Peter, created by Pushkin in the poem, was so consistent with the energy of the whole composition that you should not pay attention to such trifles. To this day, the description of the Bronze Horseman monument in St. Petersburg is inextricably linked with the work of the great Russian classic.
History
Catherine II, wanting to emphasize her commitment 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 did not receive the approval of the empress and was stored for a long time in the barns of St. Petersburg. The sculptor Etienne Maurice Falcone recommended to her worked on the monument for 12 years. His confrontation with Catherine ended with the fact that he left Russia without ever seeing his work in its final form. Having studied the personality of Peter from the sources existing at that time, he created and embodied his image not as a great commander and king, but as a creator of Russia, who opened her the way to the sea, bringing her closer to Europe. Falcone was faced with the fact that Catherine and all the top officials already had a ready-made image of the monument, he could only create the expected forms. If this happened, the description of the Bronze Horseman monument in St. Petersburg would be completely different. Perhaps then he would have another name. Falcone's work progressed slowly, this was facilitated by bureaucratic squabbles, discontent of the empress and the complexity of the created image.
Installation
Even the recognized masters of their craft did not undertake the casting of the figure of Peter himself on a horse, so Falconet attracted Emelyan Khaylov, who cast the guns. The size of the monument was not the main problem, it was much more important to maintain weight balance. With only three points of support, the sculpture was supposed to be stable. The original solution was the introduction to the monument of a snake, which was a symbol of defeated evil. At the same time, it provided additional support for the sculptural group. We can say that the monument was co-authored by the sculptor with his pupil Marie-Anna Collot (Peter's head, face) and the Russian master Fedor Gordeev (snake).
Thunder stone
Not a single description of the monument The Bronze Horseman can do without mentioning its foundation (pedestal). A huge granite block was split by lightning, which is why the local population gave it the name Thunder-stone, which was later preserved. According to Falconet's design, the sculpture should stand on a base imitating a surging wave. The stone was delivered to Senate Square by land and water, while the work on hewn granite blocks did not stop. Extraordinary transportation was monitored by the whole of Russia and Europe, in honor of its completion Catherine ordered to mint a medal. In September 1770, a granite base was established on Senate Square. The location of the monument was also controversial. The empress insisted on installing the monument in the center of the square, but Falcone put it closer to the Neva, and Peter's gaze was also turned to the river. Although fierce debate has been going on about this until today: where did the Bronze Horseman look? The description of the monument by various researchers contains excellent answer options. Some believe that the king is looking at Sweden, with which he fought. Others suggest that his gaze is turned to the sea, access to which was necessary for the country. There is also a point of view based on the theory that Vladyka observes the city that he has laid down.
The Bronze Horseman, monument
A brief description of the monument can be found in any guide to the historical and cultural sites of St. Petersburg. Peter 1 sits on a rearing horse, stretching one arm over the current Neva row. A laurel wreath adorns his head, and the horse’s legs trample a snake representing evil (in the broad sense of the word). On a granite basis, by order of Catherine II, the inscription "Catherine II to Peter I" and the date - 1782 are made. These words are written in Latin on one side of the monument, and in Russian on the other. The monument itself weighs about 8-9 tons, its height is more than 5 meters, excluding the foundation. This monument has become a hallmark of the city on the Neva. Each person who came to see his sights must visit the Senate Square, and each person has his own opinion and, accordingly, a 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 a lasting impression on the great classicist A. S. 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 reader’s attention with its brightness and integrity of the image. This work is included in a number of symbols of Russia, as well as the monument itself. “The Bronze Horseman, description of the monument” - an essay on this topic is written by high school students throughout the country. At the same time, the role of Pushkin's poem, his vision of sculpture, appears in every essay. From the moment the monument was unveiled until today, there are mixed opinions in society about the composition as a whole. Many Russian writers used the image created by Falcone in their work. Everyone found symbolism in him, which he interpreted in accordance with his own views, but the fact that Peter I personifies the movement of Russia forward does not raise doubts. This is confirmed by the Bronze Horseman. The description of the monument has become for many a way of expressing their own thoughts about the fate of the country.
Monument
A mighty horse rushes into the cliff in front of which an abyss has opened. The horseman pulls the reins, raising the animal on its hind legs, while his whole figure personifies confidence and calmness. According to Falcone, this was exactly what Peter I was - a hero, a warrior, but also a converter. With his hand he points to the distances that will be subject to him. Fighting with the forces of nature, not too perspicacious people, prejudices for him is the meaning of life. When creating the sculpture, Catherine wanted to see Peter as a great emperor, i.e., Roman statues could be a model. The king should ride a horse, holding a scepter and a power in his hands , while matching the ancient heroes was given with the help of clothes. Falcone was categorically against it, he said that the Russian sovereign can not wear a tunic, just like Julius Caesar caftan. Peter appears in a long Russian shirt, which is closed by a cloak fluttering in the wind - this is what the Bronze Horseman looks like. The description of the monument is impossible without some of the characters included in Falconet's main composition. For example, Peter does not sit in the saddle, in this capacity the skin of a bear acts. Its meaning is interpreted as belonging to the nation, the people, which the king leads. The snake under the horse's hooves symbolizes treachery, enmity, ignorance, defeated by Peter.
Head
The king’s features are slightly idealized, but the portrait resemblance is not lost. Work on Peter's head lasted a long time; her results constantly did not satisfy the empress. The death mask of Peter, shot by Rastrelli, helped the student Falcone fulfill the face of the king. Her work was very much appreciated by Catherine II, Marie-Anne Collot was assigned a life annuity. The whole figure, the fit of the head, a furious gesture, the inner fire, expressed in the gaze, show the character of Peter I.
Location
Falcone paid particular attention to the base on which the Bronze Horseman is located. Description of the monument, an essay on this topic attracted many talented people. A rock, a granite block represents the difficulties that Peter overcomes on his way. After he has reached the summit, his hand gesture acquires the meaning of subservience, subordination to his will of all circumstances. A granite block, made in the form of an uplifting wave, also indicates the conquest of the open spaces. Very indicative is the location of the entire monument. Peter I, the founder of the city of St. Petersburg, in spite of all difficulties, creates a seaport for his state. That is why the figure is placed closer to the river and turned to face it. Peter I (The Bronze Horseman) as if continues 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 the whole of Russia, you need to visit it, feel the powerful energy of the place, the character reflected by the sculptor. The reviews of many tourists, including foreign ones, come down to one thought: for a few minutes, the speechlessness disappears. In this case, not only the monumentality of the monument is striking , but also the awareness of its importance for the history of Russia.