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

Grigory Grigor'evich Chernetsov (1802 - 1865)
Grigory Grigor'evich Chernetsov
1802 - 1865
Stanislav Mikhailovich Nikireev (1932 - 2007)
Stanislav Mikhailovich Nikireev
1932 - 2007
Raphael Schwartz (1874 - 1942)
Raphael Schwartz
1874 - 1942
Vladimir Alekseevich Milashevsky (1893 - 1976)
Vladimir Alekseevich Milashevsky
1893 - 1976
Eduard Leonidovich Zelenin (1938 - 2002)
Eduard Leonidovich Zelenin
1938 - 2002
Feliks Aleksandrovich Kuznetsov (1940 - 2021)
Feliks Aleksandrovich Kuznetsov
1940 - 2021
Andrey Konstantinovich Nartov (1693 - 1756)
Andrey Konstantinovich Nartov
1693 - 1756
Andrei Vladimirovich Petroff (1894 - 1975)
Andrei Vladimirovich Petroff
1894 - 1975
Nikolai Mikhailovich Tarabukin (1889 - 1956)
Nikolai Mikhailovich Tarabukin
1889 - 1956
Pyotr Vasilievich Basin (1793 - 1877)
Pyotr Vasilievich Basin
1793 - 1877
Lyudmila Davidovna Burliuk-Kuznetsova (1885 - 1968)
Lyudmila Davidovna Burliuk-Kuznetsova
1885 - 1968
Anatoly Rafailovich Brusilovsky (1932)
Anatoly Rafailovich Brusilovsky
1932
Aleksandr Iulianovich Rukavishnikov (1950)
Aleksandr Iulianovich Rukavishnikov
1950
Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin (1876 - 1942)
Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin
1876 - 1942
Tatyana Georgievna Bruni (1902 - 2001)
Tatyana Georgievna Bruni
1902 - 2001
Gabriel-François Doyen (1726 - 1806)
Gabriel-François Doyen
1726 - 1806

Creators Modern art

Vladimir Grigorievich Odintsov (1902 - 1957)
Vladimir Grigorievich Odintsov
1902 - 1957
Ervin Patkai (1937 - 1985)
Ervin Patkai
1937 - 1985
Alfred Morgan (1836 - 1924)
Alfred Morgan
1836 - 1924
Nikolai Pavlovich Akimov (1901 - 1968)
Nikolai Pavlovich Akimov
1901 - 1968
Jim Love (1927 - 2005)
Jim Love
1927 - 2005
Oskar Coester (1886 - 1955)
Oskar Coester
1886 - 1955
Yakov Ivanovich Nikoladze (1876 - 1951)
Yakov Ivanovich Nikoladze
1876 - 1951
Vasily Nikolayevich Baksheyev (1862 - 1958)
Vasily Nikolayevich Baksheyev
1862 - 1958
Marcel Janco (1895 - 1984)
Marcel Janco
1895 - 1984
Yervand Kochar (1899 - 1979)
Yervand Kochar
1899 - 1979
Rudolf Kaesbach (1873 - 1955)
Rudolf Kaesbach
1873 - 1955
Nina Pavlovna Polynskaia (1914 - 1989)
Nina Pavlovna Polynskaia
1914 - 1989
Anker Landberg (1916 - 1973)
Anker Landberg
1916 - 1973
Elizaveta Sergeyevna Kruglikova (1865 - 1941)
Elizaveta Sergeyevna Kruglikova
1865 - 1941
Paul Burlin (1886 - 1969)
Paul Burlin
1886 - 1969
Unica Bachmann-Calcoen (1904 - 1986)
Unica Bachmann-Calcoen
1904 - 1986