Arkhangelsk: a monument to Lomonosov. Description

One of the main attractions that Arkhangelsk can be proud of is the monument to Lomonosov. This monument has always interested tourists, so it was impossible not to tell about its history.

Arkhangelsk is a city of harsh beauty in the northern Pomorie and an old trade center with the powers of Europe. This is the land of brave navigators and the birthplace of the light of Russian science - Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov.

There are few people in the world who could change their destiny, in spite of everything, to realize their dream and to bring a huge benefit to the Fatherland, having become famous for centuries. Among these few personalities is the colossus of science, art, the most educated man of his time - MV Lomonosov. The monument in Arkhangelsk to this outstanding person is worth our attention. Next we will talk about this monument.

How the monument to Lomonosov was erected

Biography and scientific works of Mikhail Vasilievich are still studied by outstanding scientists of our time. Lomonosov is, without exaggeration, the pride of the nation, one of the most revered people's idols. Not surprisingly, at the beginning of the nineteenth century a nationwide subscription was organized for the construction of a monument to an outstanding man.

The idea to immortalize in the granite of the great scientist belongs to the Archangel and Kholmogory bishop Neophyte. This noble cause was supported by the governor-general of the city, Admiral Minitsky, sending to the Emperor Alexander I a petition for the organization of an All-Russian subscription.

The scientists of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, employees of Russian universities, higher military ranks and representatives of the merchant class, aristocrats and clergymen, peasants, burghers and nobles donated money to the monument to MV Lomonosov in Arkhangelsk. Significant monetary contribution was made by the granddaughter of the great scientist - Sofya Raevskaya. The largest contribution came from Emperor Nicholas I. And in 1832 the monument was opened.

Who is the author of the monument that adorned Arkhangelsk?

The monument to Lomonosov was created by the Russian sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos. The idea of composition, he said, he drew from the most famous eleventh ode of Mikhail Vasilyevich - "Evening thinking about God's Majesty."

Unfortunately, the sculptor only survived the discovery of his sculpture for only three years, having died in 1835.

Description

The bronze monument of MV Lomonosov in Arkhangelsk is made in the style of classicism. Mikhail Vasilievich is depicted in the Roman toga. Next to him is the kneeling winged genius, who gives Lomonosov a lyre.

Both figures are on a convex sphere, which symbolizes not just a fragment of the globe, namely its northern part. The lyre, which the genius extends to the learned man, has a monogram consisting of the letters "E" and "P". It is the monogram of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, who patronized the scientist. In her person, he found support in many of his studies.

The hemisphere on which the sculptural composition is located is located on a pedestal having a cylindrical shape. It is made of pink polished granite. On the front side it says "Lomonosov 1829". On the other hand, "Born in 1867 - and 1930". On the hemisphere from the front is written "Kholmogory", that is, the place of birth of the scientist is indicated.

On the reverse side is the name of the author of the sculptural composition. The cylindrical pedestal itself stands on a pedestal folded from granite blocks, which has two steps.

When the monument to Lomonosov (Arkhangelsk) was ready, his delivery to the homeland of the scientist was undertaken by the Archangel governor, since the further storage of the sculpture in St. Petersburg cost a lot of money. Thanks to his efforts, the monument, divided into four parts, was brought to the city by ship.

Choose a place

The place where the monument to MV Lomonosov in Arkhangelsk will be erected was chosen by the Emperor Nikolai I. After carefully examining the map of the city, the king chose a place near the cathedral. Especially for the monument there was excavated a foundation ditch, powerful wooden piles were clogged, then a pedestal pad was rammed with a brick, a stone and other strong materials.

The monument was ready to be opened in 1831, but the outbreak of the cholera epidemic in the city thwarted these plans. Collecting in such a situation, which requires strict quarantine measures, together a huge number of people, was risky and unreasonable. Therefore, the opening of the sculptural composition was postponed until more favorable times.

Celebrations on the occasion of the opening of the monument took place the next year and were timed to the namesakes of Emperor Nicholas I.

Transfer of the monument

Over time, it turned out that the place for sculpture was chosen very unsuccessfully, since it causes the pedestal to sag more than a meter and a half. Therefore, in 1867 it was postponed.

In the years of Soviet power, in 1930, the monument was removed from this place, setting on it the Obelisk of the North. But to not leave without the described monument to Arkhangelsk, the monument to Lomonosov was moved and installed near the Forestry Institute.

During the Second World War, a high-explosive bomb landed in the university building, which caused damage to a nearby monument. But the cracks discovered many years later were eliminated by the method of cold welding. In order to create better conditions for the preservation of the monument, five years ago it was moved to the Forestry College named after Emperor Peter I.

Conclusion

Now you know what Arkhangelsk is rightfully proud of. The monument to Lomonosov was established here long ago. He survived the revolution and wars. But to this day tourists visit this landmark.