Literature

Invisible Man Invisible Monument

30.05.201606.01.2017 by Elena

Invisible Man Invisible Monument
Among the many new and unusual monuments, which appeared in the most crowded and famous places of St. Petersburg, one stands out as absolutely extraordinary. It is a monument to Invisible Man, which, in fact, is a granite pedestal. Located at Fontanka, 132, just in front of the mental hospital №7, a few minutes walk from the metro station “Institute of Technology”. Gold letters on the rough granite display: “Monument to Invisible Man.” The story of the monument to the Invisible Man started back in 1892, five years before the publication of the novel by H. G. Wells “The Invisible Man” in 1897. However, the Story behind monument is a complete mystery.

Back in 1842 Nicholas I approved the opinion on the establishment of a permanent hospital for laborers. But the hospital did not have a certain address, and was located in different buildings, literally throughout the city.

Only in 1866, the new hospital, called “Alexander’s Hospital for the working population in memory of February 19, 1861,” had its own building. Construction was carried out on the personal funds of the Emperor Alexander II. In gratitude, in 1892, the local authorities established the bust of Nicholas in front of the building (sculptor Laveretsky).

The monument of Alexander II which probably should be on the place of The Invisible Man

After the revolution, the new government did not immediately remember about this monument of old regime, and it successfully stood in its place until 1931. Since 1931, the pedestal has remained empty, and the fate of the bust is unknown. Where and when the king abandoned the pedestal is still a mystery. There were rumors that somebody threw the bust into the Fontanka. Hospital then was renamed to “Hospital of October 25th.”

Today, this medical institution has a specific direction – since 1986 it houses the mental hospital №7. Anyway, the city authorities still do not seem concerned about the fate of the abandoned granite pedestal. The true story behind the monument to the Invisible Man is still unknown.

The Invisible Man 1933-2016. Johnny Depp is supposed to star in The Invisible Man 2016 film

The Invisible Man has inspired many artists, sculptors, and film directors since 1897. The literature character of English writer Herbert George Wells appeared in 15 film and TV adaptations, from 1933 film of Universal Pictures by director James Whale, to a new 2016 classic monster movie with Johnny Depp in the main role.

On the monument in Yekaterinburg engraved inscription - 'The world's first monument to the Invisible Man, the hero of the novel by HG Wells' — And this is just one more monument to Invisible Man. The inscription on the monument in Yekaterinburg reads – ‘The world’s first monument to the Invisible Man, the hero of the novel by HG Wells’

“Invisible man running with a violin” sculpture, appeared in Amsterdam in 1982

This work belongs to the city, but on the condition that the sculptor’s identity will not be disclosed to the public. Several times Invisible Man mysteriously disappeared, and then also mysteriously appeared in the same place, but painted in a different color.