Antokolsky Mark Matveevich

An outstanding Russian realist sculptor, from 1871 - academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, from 1880 - professor of sculpture. Antokolsky’s work, which was formed during the revolutionary-democratic rise of Russia in the 60s, and later, with all its content associated with the ideas of the Wanderers, represents a remarkable phenomenon in the history of Russian art. Mark Antokolsky in his work looked for new methods of interpreting genre and historical themes, not associated with academic tradition. The most significant works of the sculptor are on historical themes, which reflect patriotic and civic aspirations, his desire for the psychologization of the image, for the fidelity of historical details. The statue “Ivan the Terrible” (bronze, 1871, Russian Museum, Leningrad; marble, 1875, Tretyakov Gallery) is distinguished by the intense drama of its psychological structure. The image of a far-sighted and decisive reformer of Russia was created by Mark Antokolsky in the statue of Peter I (a plaster copy was lost in 1872; bronze, Russian Museum and Tretyakov Gallery). Mark Antokolsky also executed the statues “Nestor the Chronicler” (marble, 1889) and “Ermak” (bronze, 1891; both are in the Russian Museum). Mark Antokolsky devoted a number of works to moral and philosophical themes, which he interpreted in the spirit of the ideals of justice and truth ("Christ before the judgment of the people", bronze, 1874, Russian Museum; marble, 1876, Tretyakov Gallery; "Mephistopheles", marble, 1883, Russian Museum).