Sergey Dmitrievich Merkurov (1881 - 1952)

Sergey Dmitrievich Merkurov (1881 - 1952) - photo 1

Sergey Dmitrievich Merkurov

Sergey Dmitrievich Merkurov (Russian: Серге́й Дми́триевич Мерку́ров) was a Soviet sculptor-monumentalist of Greek-Armenian descent, celebrated for his significant contributions to the art world. Born in Alexandropol (now Gyumri), he ventured into art after leaving the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute due to a political scandal. Merkurov's education in art took him across Europe, from Adolf Meyer's tutelage in Switzerland to the esteemed studio of Auguste Rodin in Paris. His acquaintance with Vladimir Lenin abroad influenced his later works, including the famed Lenin statues across Soviet territories. Merkurov's mastery in creating post-mortem (death) masks for notable figures such as Leo Tolstoy and Vladimir Lenin, among others, showcases his exceptional talent and innovation in the field​​.

An adept of "academic modernism," Merkurov was also involved in the "Monumental Propaganda" program, through which he created numerous significant monuments, including the largest Stalin statues in the USSR. His works, such as the "Shooting of 26 Baku Commissars" and the "Death of the Leader," reflect his artistic prowess and ideological commitment to Soviet monumentalism​​.

Merkurov's legacy is preserved in the Merkurov Museum in Gyumri, which houses an extensive collection of his death masks, including the only original death mask of Lenin. This museum, opened in 1984 in his family house, stands as a testament to his life's work and influence​​. His contributions were recognized with titles such as People's Artist of the USSR and membership in the USSR Academy of Arts. Merkurov's works are part of several museum collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, underscoring his lasting impact on Russian and Soviet art​​.

Collectors and art and antiques experts who appreciate the depth of Soviet-era monumental art would find Sergey Dmitrievich Merkurov's works a remarkable study. For updates on exhibitions and auctions featuring Merkurov's work, sign up for notifications to stay informed about new sales and events related to this influential artist.

Date and place of birt:7 november 1881, Gyumri, Russian Empire
Date and place of death:8 june 1952, Moscow, USSR
Nationality:Russia, Armenia, USSR, Russian Empire
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Monumentalist, Sculptor
Genre:Portrait
Art style:Modern art, Socialist realism

Creators Russia

Ivan Alekseevich Kudryashov (1896 - 1972)
Ivan Alekseevich Kudryashov
1896 - 1972
Nikolay Vladimirovich Polissky (1957)
Nikolay Vladimirovich Polissky
1957
Evgenia Petrovna Antipova (1917 - 2009)
Evgenia Petrovna Antipova
1917 - 2009
Johann Baptist von Lampi I (1751 - 1830)
Johann Baptist von Lampi I
1751 - 1830
Eduard Moiseevich Puterbrot (1940 - 1993)
Eduard Moiseevich Puterbrot
1940 - 1993
Ivan Avgustovich Velts (1866 - 1926)
Ivan Avgustovich Velts
1866 - 1926
Efrem Ivanovich Zverkov (1921 - 2012)
Efrem Ivanovich Zverkov
1921 - 2012
Alexander Barkoff (1870 - 1944)
Alexander Barkoff
1870 - 1944
Pyotr Alexandrovich Krivonogov (1910 - 1967)
Pyotr Alexandrovich Krivonogov
1910 - 1967
Dmitry Spiridonovich Bisti (1925 - 1990)
Dmitry Spiridonovich Bisti
1925 - 1990
Boris Georgievich Birger (1923 - 2001)
Boris Georgievich Birger
1923 - 2001
Vasily Nikolayevich Baksheyev (1862 - 1958)
Vasily Nikolayevich Baksheyev
1862 - 1958
Solomon Moiseevich Gershov (1906 - 1989)
Solomon Moiseevich Gershov
1906 - 1989
Aleksey Ivanovich Korzukhin (1835 - 1894)
Aleksey Ivanovich Korzukhin
1835 - 1894
Ekaterina Evgen'evna Grigor'eva (1928 - 2010)
Ekaterina Evgen'evna Grigor'eva
1928 - 2010
Victor Mikhailovich Oreshnikov (1904 - 1987)
Victor Mikhailovich Oreshnikov
1904 - 1987

Creators Modern art

Mikhail Nikolaevich Mokh (1911 - 1978)
Mikhail Nikolaevich Mokh
1911 - 1978
Alexander Diomidovich Dashkevich (1912 - 1984)
Alexander Diomidovich Dashkevich
1912 - 1984
Timofey Ivanovich Xenofontov (1912 - 1990)
Timofey Ivanovich Xenofontov
1912 - 1990
Sergei Iosifovich Iutkevich (1904 - 1985)
Sergei Iosifovich Iutkevich
1904 - 1985
Vyacheslav Grigorievich Kubarev (1941 - 2018)
Vyacheslav Grigorievich Kubarev
1941 - 2018
Vasilii Alekseevich Fedulov (1885 - 1950)
Vasilii Alekseevich Fedulov
1885 - 1950
Carl Julius Moll (1861 - 1945)
Carl Julius Moll
1861 - 1945
June Leaf (1929 - 2024)
June Leaf
1929 - 2024
Marsden Hartley (1877 - 1943)
Marsden Hartley
1877 - 1943
Modesto Faustini (1839 - 1891)
Modesto Faustini
1839 - 1891
Olga Lyudvigovna Della-Vos-Kardovskaya (1875 - 1952)
Olga Lyudvigovna Della-Vos-Kardovskaya
1875 - 1952
Arie Smit (1916 - 2016)
Arie Smit
1916 - 2016
Alexey Petrovich Kuznetsov (1916 - 1993)
Alexey Petrovich Kuznetsov
1916 - 1993
Ivan Grazianovich Dombrovsky (1886 - 1961)
Ivan Grazianovich Dombrovsky
1886 - 1961
Vladimir Fyodorovich Shtranikh (1888 - 1981)
Vladimir Fyodorovich Shtranikh
1888 - 1981
Jorge Pardo (1963)
Jorge Pardo
1963
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