Video: The most interesting facts about the Bronze Horseman, which is not at all made of copper
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Monument to Peter Inamed Bronze Horseman with the light hand of Alexander Pushkin, is one of the symbols of the Northern capital. Built by the will of Catherine II, it has been decorating the Senate Square for over 200 years. Today we will tell you about the most interesting facts and the most mysterious legends associated with the Bronze Horseman.
The creation of the monument turned out to be very troublesome: the plan of the eminent Parisian sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet, specially invited to Russia by Catherine to work on the monument to Peter the Great, was grandiose. Perpetuating the figure of the Russian reformer, it was decided to create a sculpture of him on horseback. According to the plan, the rider climbed a high cliff, leaving behind all enemies and thus overcoming all life's difficulties.
The first test was the search for a stone that would serve as a pedestal. Initially, it was supposed to collect it from separate stones, but still attempts to find a block of the corresponding size were made. To this end, they even placed an advertisement in the newspaper: and, lo and behold, an ordinary peasant agreed to deliver a boulder to St. Petersburg. It is believed that the holy fool helped him to find the right breed, the stone itself is called the Thunder-stone because it once suffered from a lightning strike. Delivery of the pedestal lasted 11 months, the block weighing 2,400 tons had to be moved in winter, as it pressed literally everything in its path. According to another legend, the stone was named the Horse, because it was found on the island of the same name and in time immemorial lay at the entrance to the gates of another world. According to legends, local residents sacrificed horses to the gods at this stone.
When the Thunder-stone was delivered to St. Petersburg, Falcone began to work on the sculpture of the horseman. To achieve maximum realism, he built a pedestal with the same angle of inclination, and over and over again asked the rider to call on him. Observing the movements of the horse and rider, the sculptor gradually created a sketch. Over the next eight years, the statue was cast in bronze. The name "Bronze Horseman" is an artistic device of Pushkin, in fact the figure is bronze.
Despite the fact that Catherine was delighted with the Falcone project, the protracted work on casting the statue quarreled her with the sculptor. The Frenchman left for Paris without waiting for the grand opening. In fairness, we note that when the monument was presented to the public, at the behest of Catherine II, the coins minted on the occasion of the celebration were gratefully delivered to Falcone.
The Bronze Horseman is a visiting card of St. Petersburg. During the war of 1812, there was a thought to evacuate him, but this was prevented by chance. If you believe the legends, the major of the Russian army, who was ordered to deal with the monument, asked Alexander I for permission to leave the monument in place: he allegedly had a dream in which Peter I himself assured the Russians that while he was there, nothing threatened his creation. During the Great Patriotic War, they were also worried about the monument, but they did not dare to remove it from the pedestal: they surrounded it with sandbags and boards. This is how the Bronze Horseman survived the blockade.
Continuing the topic - 7 fun facts about the most famous sculptures.
Recommended:
Inventor, adventurer, prophet and "talent" Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin: 10 most interesting facts from the artist's life
Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin is a unique artist who worked at the junction of two eras, whom his contemporaries called "an ancient Russian icon painter who, by chance, fell into the future." The painter's works were not only a reflection of the present, but also prophesied the future, and also caused fierce opposition of opinions and assessments - from enthusiastic praise to contemptuous ridicule
Interesting facts about the legendary Georgian hospitality: How not to fall victim to it and not offend the owners of the house
Even those who have never been to Georgia have probably heard about the legendary hospitality of the inhabitants of this country. Indeed, hospitality among Georgians is valued even higher than courage. And this Caucasian people zealously support this tradition, considering themselves the most hospitable people living on Earth. We have collected the most interesting facts about Georgian hospitality, as well as tips on how to behave correctly in order to protect yourself from the consequences of this custom and not offend the hospitable hosts
"Arab, but not hazel grouse!": 8 little-known facts from the biography of Alexander Pushkin, which are not told at school
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin wrote a huge number of works, which they get to know in childhood. In the biography of this great classic, which is studied in educational institutions, far from all the facts of his biography are revealed. But some of them are quite interesting
Owl and all-all-all: interesting paintings by Kathleen Lolly about forest dreamers
As a child, future artist Kathleen Lolly loved to wander through the woods near her grandfather's farm. During her wanderings, she composed fairy tales about the life of the inhabitants of the forest. Where does the owl live? What kind of curtains does she have at home? Who does she drink tea with in the evenings? For example, a raccoon is a successful businessman, but what does an owl do for a living? Each animal in the stories of the little inventor received a funny biography and acquired habits. And until now, when Kathleen Lolly wanders through the same forest, she does everything
20 interesting facts about Moscow and Muscovites, which were noticed by Gilyarovsky
On March 12, 1918, Moscow was returned to the status of the capital of Russia, which until then had belonged to Petrograd. What was the capital of those times, Vladimir Gilyarovsky vividly told in his book "Moscow and Muscovites". We have collected 20 quotes from this book that allow you to plunge into the life of the capital of the beginning of the century. Perhaps, in old Moscow, someone will recognize today's Moscow