Literature

Poet Joseph Brodsky monument in Moscow

24.03.201709.04.2020 by Elena

Poet Joseph Brodsky monument appeared near the house 18, Novinsky Boulevard on May 31, 2011. The work of sculptor Georgy Frangulyan and architect Sergei Skuratov. Noteworthy, the sculptor worked on the monument for 7 years and created it at his own expense. According to the sculptor, the monument to Brodsky is his personal gift to the city. “Everything, completely: a pedestal, a granite, and a sculpture,” the sculptor said.
Meanwhile, the idea of the composition is also interesting. Against the background of 12 faceless figures, divided into 2 groups, which seem to be the symbol of the split society, the 13th – the figure of the poet stands out. Brodsky looks up at the sky, as if not noticing what is happening on earth. According to the plan of the sculptor, against the background of many people it is possible to “stand out” only to a few people. And this was Joseph Brodsky.

The work of sculptor Georgy Frangulyan and architect Sergei Skuratov. It is noteworthy that the sculptor worked on the monument for 7 years and created it at his own expense

The monument stands opposite the American embassy, and Brodsky faces the embassy. It is known that Brodsky was persecuted by the Soviet government and on June 4, 1972 he was forced to leave the USSR and elect emigration. At first Brodsky lived for some time in Europe, and then flew to the United States, where he lived and worked fruitfully until his death. That is, in a similar image, one can see a hint that the compatriots did not recognize the poet as a whole. However, in other countries he received recognition, popularity and veneration of his talent. And the groups of people around the silhouette of Brodsky are flat and faceless, as if the sculptor expresses his pain for the fate of the poet. In particular, that contemporaries-compatriots were blind and cruel in their punishment over Brodsky.

Poet Joseph Brodsky monument in Moscow

This is how sculptor Zurab Tsereteli sees Joseph Brodsky. Farewell, Joseph Brodsky. Bas-relief

The most discussed was the fact that the monument was not in St. Petersburg, where Brodsky was born and lived, but in Moscow. Actor Veniamin Smekhov asked directly the sculptor about this.
“Balzac was not born in Paris either,” said Frangulyan, implying that the monument to the writer is in the French capital.

But, by the way, there is a monument in St. Petersburg. Another thing is that it is difficult to see it – it is located in the courtyard of the philological faculty of St. Petersburg University.