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

Marietta Sergeevna Shaginyan (1888 - 1982)
Marietta Sergeevna Shaginyan
1888 - 1982
Nataliya Georgiyevna (Nathalie) Parain (1897 - 1958)
Nataliya Georgiyevna (Nathalie) Parain
1897 - 1958
Victor Alexandrovich Lyapkalo (1956)
Victor Alexandrovich Lyapkalo
1956
Evgeny L'vovich Rukhin (1943 - 1976)
Evgeny L'vovich Rukhin
1943 - 1976
Georgy Dmitrievich Lavrov (1895 - 1991)
Georgy Dmitrievich Lavrov
1895 - 1991
Yury Alekseevich Nashivochnikov (1922 - 2022)
Yury Alekseevich Nashivochnikov
1922 - 2022
Vasily Pavlovich Borisenkov (1924 - 2020)
Vasily Pavlovich Borisenkov
1924 - 2020
Lev Tabenkin (1952)
Lev Tabenkin
1952
Eugeny Ignatyevich Konopatzky (1887 - 1962)
Eugeny Ignatyevich Konopatzky
1887 - 1962
Vasily Alekseyevich Serebryakov (1810 - 1886)
Vasily Alekseyevich Serebryakov
1810 - 1886
Alexandra Feliksovna Tokareva (1926 - 2015)
Alexandra Feliksovna Tokareva
1926 - 2015
Robert Rafailovich Falk (1886 - 1958)
Robert Rafailovich Falk
1886 - 1958
George Ivanovich Narbut (1886 - 1920)
George Ivanovich Narbut
1886 - 1920
Peter Clodt von Jürgensburg (1805 - 1867)
Peter Clodt von Jürgensburg
1805 - 1867
Pyotr Yakovlevich Anurin (1914 - 1992)
Pyotr Yakovlevich Anurin
1914 - 1992
Martiros Saryan (1880 - 1972)
Martiros Saryan
1880 - 1972

Creators Modern art

Richard Janthur (1883 - 1956)
Richard Janthur
1883 - 1956
Xul Solar (1887 - 1963)
Xul Solar
1887 - 1963
Olga Maksimilianovna Manuilova (1893 - 1984)
Olga Maksimilianovna Manuilova
1893 - 1984
Viktor Nikolaevich Losev (1923 - 1995)
Viktor Nikolaevich Losev
1923 - 1995
Jim Love (1927 - 2005)
Jim Love
1927 - 2005
Coert Steynberg (1905 - 1982)
Coert Steynberg
1905 - 1982
Boris Mikhaylovich Kustodiev (1878 - 1927)
Boris Mikhaylovich Kustodiev
1878 - 1927
Vladimir Moiseevich Smirin (1931 - 1989)
Vladimir Moiseevich Smirin
1931 - 1989
Antonio Bernie (1905 - 1981)
Antonio Bernie
1905 - 1981
Victor Mikhailovich Malyi (1946)
Victor Mikhailovich Malyi
1946
Joža Uprka (1861 - 1940)
Joža Uprka
1861 - 1940
Beate Kuhn (1927 - 2015)
Beate Kuhn
1927 - 2015
Viktor Oliva (1861 - 1928)
Viktor Oliva
1861 - 1928
François-Rupert Carabin (1862 - 1932)
François-Rupert Carabin
1862 - 1932
Louis Davis (1860 - 1941)
Louis Davis
1860 - 1941
Carlos Sotomayor (1911 - 1988)
Carlos Sotomayor
1911 - 1988