Monuments reveal

The headstone of M. P. Sobakina. 1782. Marble. Moscow, Golitsyn Tomb of the Donskoy Monastery. Work by Russian memorial sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos (1754-1835)

Russian memorial sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos
The largest and most authentic singer of the elegiac theme, who dedicated all his long life and great talent to the Russian memorial art, was Ivan Petrovich Martos (1754 – 1835). This genre became the main one in his work. A convinced and consistent representative of classicism, he studied masterpieces of ancient art during his stay in Italy. However, the sculptor did not follow the path of repeating the seen samples, although he paid tribute to their perfection. He developed his own type of Russian tombstone, using the tradition of antiquity as the basis.
The memorial heritage of Martos is great – over twenty tombstones. Like no other, he was able to convey the deepest emotions. Under his chisel they are always humanly sincere. In the works of Martos, there is no sense of despair, characteristic to the most of the sculptors of the genre of cemetery sculpture. In creative searches, this remarkable artist strove to deep comprehension of complex human feelings. In addition, he fully used the plastic form, but never allowed oversaturation of its composition. Meanwhile, Martos masterfully solved the problem of volume, achieving in its construction the logical clarity and refined simplicity.
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Opened August 2, 2007, Black tulip memorial complex in Novokuznetsk

Black tulip memorial complex

There is a beautiful memorial in the Siberian city of Novokuznetsk – Black tulip memorial complex. But most importantly, it’s really a memorable place – always there are fresh flowers. Indeed, never deserted place, where along the very well-groomed and cozy memorial walk mothers and children, students and elderly people. In summer, you can hide from the heat in the shade of trees. For the present and future generations, it is an eternal memory of the heroes, of the countrymen! The square is very clean, light, and filled with an atmosphere of respect for the historical past of our country.
The stunning monument “Black Tulip” honors soldiers – residents of Novokuznetsk, who died in Afghanistan, Chechnya and other local wars. In fact, it is an obelisk and a mournful symbol – “Black Tulip”. Also, a golden cross with a bell, a symbol of eternal memory and resurrection, raised to a height of more than 16 meters from the ground level. In addition, on installed four memorial plaques engraved the names of 85 soldiers, who gave their lives in military conflicts outside of Russia. The authors of the project Alexander Brichev and Anatoly Petrovich Mitrofanov, and sculptor Victor Gusev. The grand opening took place on August 2, 2007 in the park near the Siberian State Industrial University.
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Opened October 17, 2012 monument in Novokuznetsk. Symbolic Stork monuments in Russia

Symbolic Stork monuments in Russia

This beautiful sculptural composition “Storks” appeared in one of the parks of the Siberian city of Novokuznetsk. It decorates the area near the brand-new Wedding Palace. In fact, the monument honors the 70th anniversary of the Kemerovo region (October 17, 2012). Located on three stelae the nest symbolizes the foundations of family happiness – faith, hope and love. Meanwhile, since the opening the monument, the sculpture “Storks” has become a real keeper of the family well-being of young couples. The author of the the sculpture (made in bronze and nobly “aged” by the method of oxidation) – Krasnoyarsk sculptor Anton Tyryshkin.
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P. P. Kamensky. The tomb of PI Tchaikovsky. Fragment, 1900s. Bronze, granite. Necropolis of masters of arts. St. Petersburg. Cemetery sculpture allegory and pathos

Cemetery sculpture allegory and pathos
From a city monument or from an ordinary memorial plaque, which has historical and documentary significance, the grave monument differs above all in a certain emotional mood. The artistic tombstone “enters into communication” with the person approaching it and requires from him a certain concentration. The intonation of the perception of the monument is usually individual and, as a rule, lyrical, intimate. This gives the monument a special force of influence, and creates around it an atmosphere of a peculiar mood that cleanses the soul. Noteworthy, talking about the departed, the monument always refers to the living.
In sculpture and memorial relief, there are often two indispensable allegorical images: Genius, the messenger of death, and the mourner. In the era of classicism, these figures were of importance to the all-European memorial symbol. They are replete with both Russian and Western ancient cemeteries. There are many variations of the image of the mourner, including the Russian, however, characterized by a peculiar characteristic. In the Moscow interpretation, it is usually far from the ancient images and, rather, reminds Russian girls of the early nineteenth century, slightly provincial, but very poetic.
In addition to the well-known arsenal of ancient allegories, both in Russian and in Western symbols formed their allegorical forms and images.
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Located near Budapest in Székesfehérvár monument to eternal love Jeno Bory castle

Hungarian monument to eternal love Jeno Bory castle
Located near Budapest in Székesfehérvár, this castle is the architectural embodiment of the love of Jeno Bory to the beautiful Ilona. Everything in the castle is dedicated to her. On the walls – the words of love, in the halls – portraits and sculptures of Ilona. Noteworthy, Ilona and Yeno have lived together for 50 years.
Hungarian architect and sculptor Jeno Bory (9 November 1879, Szekesfehervar – 20 December 1959, Szekesfehervar) promised his beloved wife to build a castle for her, in which their life together would resemble a fairy tale. And since Bory was an architect and sculptor, he kept his promis. In fact, for the construction of the castle, Bory spent almost 40 years.
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On the iconic painting by Gustav Klimt, Kiss monument in St. Petersburg. World Kiss Day inspired monuments

World Kiss Day inspired monuments

6 July! Philematologists, it is your day. Do you know what “Philematology” is? Philematology is the science of kissing. And on July 6, there is a celebration – World Kiss Day. The holiday dedicated to the touch of the lips to someone with the help of which one can express feelings. Various feelings – expressing children’s innocence, motherly love, passion of lovers, and strong friendship. Its purpose is to remind people of the simple joy that a kiss carries in itself.
Meanwhile, in the world there are monuments to the kiss. And two of them are in St. Petersburg. First, created by sculptor Antonina Fatkhullina to the 310th anniversary of St. Petersburg. A sculpture depicting two birds decorates the Finnish side street. Another sculpture “Kiss” decorates Elagin Island next to the Stables yard. This three-dimensional embodiment of the classics of painting in sculpture, performed by the sculptor Alexander Mikhailovich Taratinov, based on the picture of Gustav Klimt’s “Kiss.”
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Beautiful girl sculpture in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, Russia. Sculptor Oleg Melekhov. Fabulous Frog Princess monuments reveal

Fabulous Frog Princess monuments reveal
Not far from Kaliningrad, in Svetlogorsk, directly in front of the railway station appeared the “Frog Princess”. Sculptor Oleg Melekhov approached the matter unconventionally, depicting her in the stage of turning from a frog into a girl. It is possible that at first she was a frog. But having caught the arrow, began to gradually turn into a woman, just such is an image of the Svetlogorsk Princess Frog. In this case, judging by the appearance of the girl, she has a clearly Extraterrestrial origin.
The residents of Svetlogorsk, however, fell in love with the monument. According to local belief, if you put your finger first to your lips, and then to the frog princess and make a wish, it will come true.
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