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

Dmitry Grigoryevich Levitzky (1735 - 1822)
Dmitry Grigoryevich Levitzky
1735 - 1822
Ivan Petrovich Ivanov-Vano (1900 - 1987)
Ivan Petrovich Ivanov-Vano
1900 - 1987
Ilya Lvovich Selvinsky (1899 - 1968)
Ilya Lvovich Selvinsky
1899 - 1968
Grigoriy Grigorievich Myasoyedov (1834 - 1911)
Grigoriy Grigorievich Myasoyedov
1834 - 1911
Sergey Vasilyevich Volkov (1956)
Sergey Vasilyevich Volkov
1956
Alexander Mikhailovich Stadnik (1916 - 1999)
Alexander Mikhailovich Stadnik
1916 - 1999
Evgeny Alexandrovich Tikhmenev (1869 - 1934)
Evgeny Alexandrovich Tikhmenev
1869 - 1934
Pavel Yakovlevich Pavlinov (1881 - 1966)
Pavel Yakovlevich Pavlinov
1881 - 1966
Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov (1844 - 1927)
Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov
1844 - 1927
Vasili Rozhdestvensky (1884 - 1963)
Vasili Rozhdestvensky
1884 - 1963
Nikolai Yakovlevich Bout (1928 - 1989)
Nikolai Yakovlevich Bout
1928 - 1989
Sergey Mikhaylovich Bordachev (1948)
Sergey Mikhaylovich Bordachev
1948
Yeranui Arshakovna Aslamazyan (1909 - 1998)
Yeranui Arshakovna Aslamazyan
1909 - 1998
Boris Vasilievich Korneev (1922 - 1973)
Boris Vasilievich Korneev
1922 - 1973
Dmitry Arkadievich Nalbandyan (1906 - 1993)
Dmitry Arkadievich Nalbandyan
1906 - 1993
Igor Borisovich Berezovsky (1942 - 2007)
Igor Borisovich Berezovsky
1942 - 2007

Creators Modern art

Aldo Nason (1920)
Aldo Nason
1920
Marsden Hartley (1877 - 1943)
Marsden Hartley
1877 - 1943
Amandus Faure (1874 - 1931)
Amandus Faure
1874 - 1931
Mikolash Alesh (1852 - 1913)
Mikolash Alesh
1852 - 1913
Margrit Linck-Daepp (1897 - 1983)
Margrit Linck-Daepp
1897 - 1983
Lorenzo Viani (1882 - 1936)
Lorenzo Viani
1882 - 1936
Masayuki Nagare (1923 - 2018)
Masayuki Nagare
1923 - 2018
Tore Ahlsén (1906 - 1991)
Tore Ahlsén
1906 - 1991
Hermann Joachim Heinrich Pagels (1876 - 1959)
Hermann Joachim Heinrich Pagels
1876 - 1959
Emil Nolde (1867 - 1956)
Emil Nolde
1867 - 1956
Liutsiia Karlovna Klimenkova-Krauze (1912 - 1999)
Liutsiia Karlovna Klimenkova-Krauze
1912 - 1999
Fedor Fedorovich Manailo (1910 - 1978)
Fedor Fedorovich Manailo
1910 - 1978
 Scipione (1904 - 1933)
Scipione
1904 - 1933
Maria Abramovna Zubreeva (1900 - 1991)
Maria Abramovna Zubreeva
1900 - 1991
Sergey Petrovich Tkachyov (1922 - 2022)
Sergey Petrovich Tkachyov
1922 - 2022
Burkhard Mangold (1873 - 1950)
Burkhard Mangold
1873 - 1950
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