Monuments reveal

Tondo Female portrait. 1465 glazed terracotta. National Museum of Bargello, Florence. Work by Italian Renaissance sculptor Luca della Robbia (1399 or 1400 – 23 February 1482), mainly remembered as a pioneer of colored glazed terracotta as a sculptural medium

Italian Renaissance sculptor Luca della Robbia
Sculptor and jeweler of the Renaissance, full name was Luca di Simone della Robbia, the founder of the dynasty of artists, he devoted his whole long life to the service of art. Born in Florence in 1399 or 1400, trained in textiles and as a goldsmith before sculpture, however, he became known as a prolific sculptor of the early Renaissance. Patronized by the Medici, he achieved fame and wealth through glazed terracotta artworks. He performed many works, which rightfully occupy a prominent place in the history of the sculpture of the Renaissance. Worked in stone and terracotta, he was the follower of the humanistic movement. Noteworthy, he invented a type of representation of the Virgin and Child shown half-length in white on a blue background that proved highly popular. Set up successful studio in Florence, he kept the formula of his tin glazes a secret. However, the technical formula soon became the basis of a flourishing business. Worked closely with his nephew Andrea della Robbia (1435–1525). Unfortunately, Luca’s successors tended to sentimentalize his warm humanity.
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Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City. Story behind Haserot Black Angel monument

Story behind Haserot Black Angel monument

You probably saw the image of this gloomy angel more than once. This is the black angel named Haserot and here is his story.
A black statue of an angel stands in Oakland Cemetery, in Iowa City. It stands over the graves of three people: a woman, her husband and her son. This statue has a rather strange look. Most of the angels in the cemetery usually stand with their heads raised and their wings spread, symbolically striving for paradise. However, the wings of the black angel are not straightened and he looks to the ground … to hell.
The Black Angel also has a very grim expression, with cold, strange eyes and empty eyelids. Many people are nervous. Visitors to the cemetery often said that they feel uncomfortable in the immediate vicinity of the statue. They claim that they thought the statue was following them.
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Autumn angel. Moscow necropolis – Vvedensky cemetery monuments

Moscow necropolis – Vvedensky cemetery monuments
The more I look at the monuments and sculptures, I come to the conclusion that the most touching and impressive monuments are in the cemeteries. For example Vvedenskoye cemetery, which, in addition, according to local residents, hides many secrets. A dead hand and a gravestone on wheels, underground catacombs and inscriptions on the crypt, a sacred “Vampirka” and a recipe for salad olivier blown to the grave.
One of the most picturesque, if I may say so, cemeteries of the capital emerged in 1771 during the Moscow plague. Initially, mainly people of the Catholic and Lutheran faith, popularly called “Germans” were burried here.
The patina of neglect, inherent in any churchyard, is special here – natural, lively, filled with romance. Along the avenues and paths stretch plaster vases and marble crucifixes, tombstones with Gothic inscriptions and unusual chapels, mournful female figures and angels with wings down. There is a special charm in leisurely walks along the Vvedensky cemetery. Squeezing between the fences and analyzing the inscriptions on the tombstones, you experience not only sorrow and despondency, but also the need to reflect, open the book, get acquainted with the stories hidden behind the monuments to the departed people.
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Sterlitamak, Russia. Work by sculptor Valentin Mikhailovich Rechikov, St. Petersburg. Mythological bird Sirin monuments

Mythological bird Sirin monuments

The sculpture of the mythological bird Sirin appeared in the Russian city of Sterlitamak in 2015. According to the Slavic and, in particular Russian mythology, Sirin is a wonderful bird of paradise, possessing a charming voice. In medieval Russian legends, sometimes it flies to earth and sings prophetic songs about the coming bliss, but sometimes these songs can prove harmful to a person – you can lose your mind. Therefore, in some legends, Sirin acquires a negative value, so that it even begins to be considered a dark bird, a messenger of the underworld. The Sirin bird is afraid of loud sounds, so to scare it off, people ring bells, shoot guns, and blow trumpets.
The author of the sculpture is Valentin Mikhailovich Rechikov, St. Petersburg. Born in 1954 in the village of Volovo, Moscow Region – Meshchera on the river Pra. He graduated from the Higher Art and Industrial School of VI Mukhina in 1991. Participant of more than 100 exhibitions and more than 10 symposia on stone, wood in Russia and abroad.
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Outstanding Soviet Armenian Composer Aram Khachaturian monument. Work by famous sculptor Sculptor, Member of the Union of Artists of the USSR, Georgy Frangulyan

Armenian Composer Aram Khachaturian monument
The monument to Aram Ilyich Khachaturian appeared in Moscow in 2006 in a small cozy square of Bryusov Lane next to the house in which he lived. The bronze sculpture of an outstanding composer and conductor stands on a granite slab. In the hands of the composer are notes, and behind the back are musical instruments: organ, cello and piano. The authors of the monument are the sculptor Georgy Frangulyan and the architect Igor Voskresensky.
The prominent composer Aram Khachaturian was from a small Georgian village, but since 19 years lived in Moscow, and worked in the Moscow Conservatory. In fact, the creation of the monument, financed by the Armenian municipality, became the gift donated to Moscow in the year of Armenia in Russia.
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Work by sculptor Ivan Storozhev. Famous Russian Samovar monuments

Famous Russian Samovar monuments
Suksun, a city-type settlement in the Perm region of Russia, bears the name of “the capital of the Russian samovar.” Located on the left bank of the Sylva River (Chusovoy tributary), the city got its name from the Turkic word suksun, which means “jelly water”. Meanwhile, the found here copper deposits became the reason of establishing here a settlement and later a city (1651). Since the 17th century it was here that the production of samovars began.
The monument to the famous Suksun samovar appeared in 2006. The author of the monument is the teacher of the Perm branch of the Russian Academy of Painting and Sculpture Ivan Ivanovich Storozhev. The monument to the samovar consists of 4 sculptures, which symbolize prosperity, strong family relations and hospitality. The height of the monument is 3 meters, and its weight is more than 900 kg.
Meanwhile, there is a popular belief that if to rub a Suksun samovar you will always be surrounded by friends and close people. In addition, on their wedding day the newlyweds come here to perform a kind of ritual. In particular, after holding on to the tap of the samovar, they make a wish and believe that their family life will be long and happy. Besides, the locals and guests of the city, in the hope of returning here again, fill a cup of tea with coins.
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Happy Well of Angels in St. Petersburg

Happy Well of Angels in St. Petersburg

In general, angels live only in heaven. However, immortalized in monuments, angels may live anywhere – from cemeteries and crypts to gardens and streets. For instance, St. Petersburg angels, known also as Well Angels. By nature, the angels are patrons and protectors of people. And descend from heaven to earth St. Petersburg angels can help the suffering and will not let die of thirst. They are guardian angels of the source with life-giving moisture. According to the locals, if you wash your face with the water from this fountain, you will feel better. Some even believe in the full recovery of possible illness. Besides, you can make a wish – and it will come true.
Undoubtedly, the Fountain “Well of Angels” is one of the unusual architectural sights of St. Petersburg. The sculptural composition around the fountain consists of several figures. In particular, a beautiful girl and five angels who help her to draw water in the well.
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