In Moscow. This is the first monument in the capital, built not in honor of the sovereign, but in gratitude to the people's heroes. The monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square, created by the great Russian sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos, was his best work. The sculptural composition reflects the patriotism and valor not only of the two heroes of Russia, but of the entire Russian people.
From the history
In 1803, the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Sciences and Arts of St. Petersburg took the initiative to raise funds for the creation of a monument in honor of the heroes of the Nizhny Novgorod militia of 1612. The main figure of the composition was to be the national hero Nizhny Novgorod Zemstvo head Kuzma Minin, and it was planned to install the monument in Nizhny Novgorod, since it was here that the Second Zemstvo militia gathered.
For reference: In 1612, the Nizhny Novgorod merchant Kuzma Minin called for the creation of a people's militia and the expulsion of foreigners from Moscow. He proposed to appoint the Nizhny Novgorod prince Dmitry Pozharsky as the chief governor. A huge army was gathered near Nizhny Novgorod, for which people brought clothes, weapons and money. Under the leadership of these patriots, the people's militia with the icon of the Kazan Mother of God went to Moscow and on November 4, 1612, Kitay-gorod was taken by storm and foreigners were expelled from the capital.
Creation of a monument
In 1808, a competition was held to design a monument, as a result of which the work of Ivan Martos won. Funds for the construction were collected throughout Russia, and everyone could see an engraving depicting the future monument.
Ivan Martos worked on the sculptural composition for 14 years - from 1804 to 1817. It was planned to install it in 1812 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the victory over the Polish-Lithuanian invaders, but the war with Napoleon prevented these plans from being fulfilled. At the same time, Russia's victory over the French caused a new wave of patriotism, the embodiment of which was the sculptural composition created by Martos.
Description
The main figure of the monument is the figure of Kuzma Minin - his raised hand points Pozharsky and the entire Russian people to Moscow, calling to protect it from the foreign yoke. The hero's courageous torso and wide step express his confidence and determination.
Dmitry Pozharsky is depicted sitting, he has not yet recovered from his wound, but has already responded to Minin's call. In one of his hands is a shield with the image of the Savior, and the other hand is on a sword extended by Kuzma Minin.
The sword unites the figures of the two heroes, emphasizes their unity and expresses their readiness to lead the militia and lead the people to fight against the foreign yoke.
The works of Ivan Martos are mostly made in the classical style and therefore it can be seen that Minin's face resembles Zeus and both heroes have antique robes. But, if you look closely, you can see that the Savior is depicted on the shield. Kuzma's shirt is trimmed with a pattern characteristic of Russian clothing, and the haircut is made with a brace, like a Russian peasant's, that is, the author wanted to emphasize the important role of the Russian people in the victory over the invaders.
The monument was opened on February 20, 1818. The ceremony was attended by Emperor Alexander I, his wife, Empress Elizaveta Alekseevna and a large number of residents of Moscow. Initially, the sculptures were located in the center of Red Square, and later the composition was shifted to St. Basil's Cathedral in order to make room for demonstrations and military parades.
In Nizhny Novgorod, instead of a monument, an obelisk was erected in honor of the heroes of the militia, and in 2005, at the initiative of Yuri Luzhkov, under the leadership of Zurab Tsereteli, a copy of the monument erected in Moscow was cast. This composition was placed under the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, next to the Church of John the Baptist. It was from the porch of this temple that Kuzma Minin called on the people to unite and liberate Moscow.
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square against the backdrop of St. Basil's Cathedral is a symbol of Moscow. This monument is dedicated to the heroism of the entire Russian people, who rallied in the struggle against the Polish-Lithuanian yoke.
- In 1612 Kozma Minin gathered a people's militia, which led Dmitry Pozharsky, to expel the Polish invaders who claimed the Russian throne.
- The monument stands in front of St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square and installed on public donations.
- A monument was erected after the war of 1812 year and the expulsion of Napoleon from Moscow.
- On the shield of Pozharsky the face of the Savior is depicted, and a long Russian sword, only partially taken out of its scabbard, resembles a cross.
- According to the legend, on the relief under the inscription, the sculptor Ivan Martos depicted himself giving his two sons to the militia troops.
The monument to Kozma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, two national heroes-liberators, is one of the most famous Moscow monuments and perhaps the most symbolic. Firstly, he stands in the very center of Moscow - on Red Square, in front. Secondly, it was established not with state money, but with public donations. Thirdly, he depicts not a sovereign, not a poet, not a leader, but a commoner and a prince. Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky are depicted in a completely different way than befits medieval Russian warriors. But let's deal with everything in order.
Why they?
Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky lived at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. It was a difficult time for Russia, which is called "Trouble". The dynasty of Rurikovich was interrupted - in Russia there was no legitimate sovereign. In pursuit of the Russian throne, false princes are launched, who are financially and politically supported by powerful Poles. After the overthrow of False Dmitry I, the Poles and Lithuanians, using the disunity of the Russian kingdom, openly attacked Moscow. Begins. While the interventionists dominate in the Kremlin, 400 kilometers from the capital - in Nizhny Novgorod - the headman Kozma Minin is gradually gathering the people's militia, which was headed by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. In February 1612, the militia went to Moscow, calling for volunteers along the way. From August to October, the militia army fought long and bloody in Moscow with the Poles and finally successfully drove them out.
Foreigners captured Moscow infrequently: in the 14th century it was sacked by the Mongol Khan Tokhtamysh, and later, in the 19th century, by Napoleon. Only three times in 700 years of the history of the Moscow and Russian state! And every time deliverance was given 
at the cost of many casualties and destruction. And Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, who voluntarily and without any order gathered and led the liberation movement, became for Russia a symbol of freedom and indestructibility.
Why here?
The monument did not always stand at St. Basil's Cathedral. Initially, they wanted to put it in Nizhny Novgorod - after all, the legendary militia was gathered there. But it was Minin and Pozharsky who fought near the walls of the Kremlin! In addition, a monument was erected after the war of 1812 and the expulsion of Napoleon from Moscow. Therefore, Emperor Alexander II decided to erect a monument in Moscow and announced a fundraiser throughout the country. An art competition was announced, at which the project of the sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos was approved. The monument was cast in St. Petersburg. The fact that the creation of the monument was truly a nationwide affair, says the sign: "Grateful Russia to Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky."
However, the monument did not immediately take its current place. Initially, on Red Square, he stood in front of the building 
shopping arcade (now the GUM building stands on this site), which, after the Patriotic War of 1812, was built by the architect Osip Bove. This extended building, ending in a flat wide dome, echoed another building of similar architecture - the Kremlin Senate, built in the 18th century by Matvey Kazakov. They stood opposite each other, on the same axis, and between them lay a long open square. The gesture of Minin's hand, at the same time triumphant and patronizing, seemed to echo the domes of these two buildings, "hiding" them and at the same time pointing to the towers of the Kremlin. In the 1930s of the XX century, the monument was moved to the cathedral. The official version was that he interfered with the parades. And if you believe the popular anecdote, one of the party leaders did not like that Minin takes the sword with one hand and points at the other.
Why is that?
Look at the monument. Why is Minin standing and Pozharsky sitting? Why are both Russian soldiers so strangely dressed? Where is the legendary battle with the Poles here? All these questions were considered by the author of the monument, sculptor Ivan Martos.
At first, he decided to portray Minin and Pozharsky in the form of ancient heroes, but in different ways: Minin, as a representative of the common people, was barefoot and bareheaded, and the sculptor decided to put Prince Pozharsky in princely boots, put a Roman helmet on his head, and a cloak to stab the old Russian princes with a fibula. Then Pozharsky was conceived just like an ancient hero - in sandals, and Minin - in a simple peasant Russian shirt. In the end, Martos depicted both barefoot, without unnecessary details (nudity in an ancient figure is a sign of a hero). So the sculptor equalized their significance and deprived of any signs of time, emphasizing that their feat will forever remain in the memory of people.
However, signs of "Russianness", of course, are in the monument. The face of the Savior is depicted on Pozharsky's shield - it becomes almost an icon. And a long Russian sword, only partially taken out of its scabbard, resembles a cross. Defense of the Fatherland in Russia has always been associated with the defense of faith. Standing Minin passes the sword to Pozharsky, as if calling him to lead the militia. Pozharsky, although he is sitting, is full of inner energy. 
gee, like a compressed spring, ready to straighten. He already takes a sword, and behind his back is an ancient Russian (and not at all Roman) helmet. The reliefs of the pedestal depict the events that took place during the Time of Troubles, including the famous battle on Red Square on August 24, 1612. According to legend, on the relief under the inscription, Martos depicted himself giving his two sons to the militia troops.
Until the beginning of the 19th century, Moscow did not have a tradition of erecting sculptural monuments: chapels and churches were erected in honor of significant events (for example, the Intercession Cathedral on Red Square, built in memory of the capture of Kazan). The first monuments in Russia appeared in St. Petersburg and were dedicated to its founder, Emperor Peter I. Over time, Muscovites also wished to immortalize their heroes - the choice fell on Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky.
A proposal to create a monument to the leaders of the Second Militia, which liberated Moscow in 1612 from the Polish invasion, was made at the beginning of the 19th century by the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Sciences and Arts. It was originally planned to install the monument not in Moscow, but in Nizhny Novgorod, the homeland of the militia. The model of the monument on his own initiative in 1804 was made by the sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos, one of the most famous sculptors in Russia, who went a long way from the son of a poor landowner to a professor at the Academy of Arts and created the figure of John the Baptist for the portico of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. In 1811, the original decision was changed: the installation of a monument in Nizhny Novgorod was abandoned in favor of Moscow, the main site of the Second Militia. And after the end of the Patriotic War of 1812, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky acquired a new meaning: as a symbol of victory over the invaders and their expulsion from Moscow.
The monument was created after collecting donations, in which literally the whole country took part: the imperial family, nobles, merchants, burghers, peasants - the amount of donations ranged from 50 kopecks to 5,000 rubles, funds came from various provinces of Russia. The grand opening of the monument took place on Red Square on February 20, 1818 in the presence of Emperor Alexander I and with a huge gathering of people: people filled not only the entire Red Square, but also the roof of the Upper Trading Rows building and even the Kremlin tower.
The sculptor Martos formulated the general idea of the monument as follows: "Minin rushes to save the Fatherland, grabs Pozharsky's hand with his right hand - as a sign of their unanimity - and with his left hand shows him Moscow on the verge of death." The new monument was erected in the very center of Red Square, opposite the main entrance to the building of the Upper Trading Rows. The choice of location is not accidental: Kuzma Minin, addressing the wounded Prince Dmitry Pozharsky with an appeal to lead the militia, points with his hand to the Kremlin, where the invaders are at that moment. Pozharsky leans on a shield with the face of the Savior Not Made by Hands, accepts a sword from Minin's hands and prepares to stand up. The pedestal is decorated with two bas-reliefs: on the front side - a scene of fundraising for the Second Home Guard, on the back side - the offensive and the defeat of the Poles by the Russian army. In addition, there is an inscription on the pedestal: "Grateful Russia to Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky in the summer of 1818."
In the first years after the revolution, there was a threat of destruction of the monument, and proposals were made to melt it down. Fortunately, these plans have remained only projects. However, the authorities also could not leave the monument in its original place: officially, the need for transfer was explained by the fact that the monument, being in the center of Red Square, interferes with transport and demonstrations. But there was another reason: Minin was now pointing directly at the mausoleum, in connection with which the townspeople had their own associations and sayings. As a result, in 1931, the monument to the heroes of the Second Militia "moved" from the center of Red Square to St. Basil's Cathedral, where it remains today. In 2010-2011, a comprehensive restoration of the monument was carried out, which made it possible to strengthen it and prevent destruction.
By the way, Nizhny Novgorod still received its monument: in 2005, Zurab Tsereteli created a slightly reduced copy of the Moscow monument to Minin and Pozharsky, which was installed near the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky
Monument to Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, one of the most famous monuments in Moscow. It is located on Red Square, next to St. Basil's Cathedral. The author of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky Martos Ivan Petrovich.
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky was the first monument in Moscow erected not in honor of the sovereign, but in honor of the people's heroes. Funds for the monument were collected by popular subscription. Martos worked on the monument from 1804 to 1817. This is the best creation of I. P. Martos, who managed to embody in it the high ideals of civic prowess and patriotism. The sculptor depicted the moment when Kuzma Minin, pointing to Moscow, hands Prince Pozharsky an old sword and urges him to stand at the head of the Russian army. Leaning on a shield, the wounded governor rises from his bed, which symbolizes the awakening of national consciousness at a difficult time for the Fatherland.
The figure of Minin reigns supreme in the composition. His invocative gesture is forever remembered. The hand thrown up not only calls on Pozharsky, it is, as it were, turned to the whole people, raising them to fight. Although his courageous face resembles the face of Zeus, his hair cut in a bracket gives him the character of a Russian peasant. The tunic, trimmed along the edge with a pattern, resembles a Russian shirt. A vigorously sculpted torso and a wide step give the whole figure of Minin strength and confidence. Pozharsky, who has not yet recovered from his wounds, is sitting on a bed. His figure in antique attire is somewhat indecisive, it was generally less successful for Martos, but the main movement is clearly expressed: he responded to Minin's call. In one hand, Pozharsky holds a shield with the image of the Savior, and the other is placed on the sword, extended by Minin. As in the engraving, the sword is the center of the composition and links both figures, symbolically establishing their unity. The facial bas-relief has undergone some changes: it has become more concise, the figures have become smaller and their interpretation is more expressive. The bas-relief is divided into two parts. On the right - a group of men bring abundant donations, on the left - a group of women. Compared to the first version, this group has become even more expressive. Kneeling women don’t easily give away their jewels, but with a smooth movement of their hands, as it were, they lay them on the altar of the Fatherland. The poses of women are significant and solemn. Their clothes are antique, but Martos also introduces a Russian motif, decorating their heads with kokoshniks.
Bas-relief on the monument to Minun and Pozharsky
The group behind the female figures draws attention, in which a father with two sons is depicted. Martos's favorite student S.I. Galberg, who sculpted his father's head, gave her the portrait features of his teacher. The reason for this, apparently, was the fact that the son of Martos in 1812 fought in the army of Kutuzov. The center of the bas-relief is donations piled on the ground. Above the bas-relief is the inscription: "Grateful Russia in the summer of 1818 to Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky."
On the other side of the pedestal, a bas-relief is dedicated to Pozharsky's victory over his enemies. The bas-relief is also divided into two parts - one depicts Russian wars, calm and courageous, led by Pozharsky, whose horse tramples the enemy, the other shows a group of Poles running, looking back at the winners with horror.
However, this bas-relief was less successful for Martos than the front one, it lacks the tension and expressiveness that are so characteristic of Martos's work. It is important to note that the bas-relief with offerings from Nizhny Novgorod is placed on the front side, and the bas-relief dedicated to Pozharsky is on the back. With this, Martos emphasized not only the importance of Minin, but also his role in the liberation of Moscow.
Symbolism of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky belongs to those works that, when viewed from different points of view, gradually reveal their ideological meaning. Even from a distance, the silhouette of the monument is clearly looming, and the first thing we pay attention to is Minin's hand raised high, his invocative gesture. When we come closer, the courageous figure of Minin rises in front of us to his full height, who calls on Pozharsky to get up from the bed and lead the militia. With an excited look directed forward and a movement of the hand taking the sword, Pozharsky, as it were, responds to the call. If you walk around the monument from the other side, you can see that Pozharsky, leaning on his shield with his hand, rises, as it were, to meet Minin. From the back, the arms of Minin and Pozharsky crossed on the sword are clearly visible, symbolizing the strong unity of both heroes. Thus, the excellent compositional solution of the whole group makes it expressive from any point of view.
On September 6, 1817, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky arrived in Moscow. It was cast in St. Petersburg and delivered by water through Nizhny Novgorod. For the first time in the history of Moscow, a monument was erected in honor of folk heroes, and not the sovereign.
Work on the creation of the monument began in 1804. They were led by the Russian monumental sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos, and the casting was entrusted to Vasily Ekimov, a foundry master of the Academy of Arts. It took 1100 pounds of copper to make the monument, the melting time of which was about ten hours.
Who are Minin and Pozharsky? Where they lived? What are they famous for?
Let's take a look at history. They accomplished their feat almost four hundred years ago. It was a difficult time for Russia, called by the people "hard times". Ancient Novgorod was captured by the Swedes. All Russia in the West and northwest was in the hands of the Polish-Lithuanian interventionists. Even in the capital there was a Polish garrison. Enemies were bossy and outrageous.
1611 was one of the most difficult in the history of Moscow and the whole Russian land. Russia was threatened with the loss of independence. In addition, unprecedented misfortunes fell upon the Russian land: for several years in a row there was an unprecedented drought, there was a severe crop failure, famine began. Entire villages died out.
It seemed that there was no darker time in history than this; it seemed that Russia was dying from all the misfortunes that befell it, and there was nowhere to wait for salvation. But it has come!
“I stand for the Orthodox faith…” Kuzma Minin At that time, a rich merchant Kuzma Minin lived in the city of Nizhny Novgorod (on the Volga). He called on Novgorodians to fight against foreigners:
“Brothers! We will stand up for the Russian land, we will take up arms without exception, we will give up our property, we will collect money for the army, we will liberate Moscow from foreigners!
The citizens of Nizhny Novgorod perked up, gathered the militia and moved towards Moscow. On the way, people joined the militia from all sides, and Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky led the army.
In 1612, Russian regiments approached the capital and here they fought with the Poles, fought bravely for three days and won, and soon the Kremlin was liberated from the last invaders who had taken refuge there.
This great feat of citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky remained forever in people's memory.
“The confluence of residents was incredible”
The grand opening of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky took place on February 20, 1818. On Red Square, filled with thousands of Muscovites, troops were lined up, a military parade was held. To the beat of drums and shouts of "Hurrah" the veil was removed from the monument. One of the Moscow newspapers described this event as follows:
“During this solemn ceremony, the confluence of residents was incredible; all the shops, the roofs of the Gostiny Dvor, the shops set up on purpose for the nobility near the Kremlin wall, and the very towers of the Kremlin were strewn with people eager to enjoy this new and unusual spectacle.
The monument made a great impression on the audience. It depicts Nizhny Novgorod headman Kuzma Minin in a Russian shirt, calling on Dmitry Pozharsky to lead the militia and lead him to save the fatherland. Pozharsky, leaning on his shield, takes the sword from Minin's hands.
The pedestal of the monument is made of three solid pieces of granite brought from Finland, and the famous bas-reliefs "Nizhny Novgorod Citizens" and "Expulsion of the Poles", as well as the sculpture of Minin and Pozharsky, are made of bronze.
Interesting Facts
Interestingly, there is also an image of the author of the monument on the monument. The pedestal of the monument is decorated with bronze reliefs on both sides. On one of them - a stylized image of the people's militia, expelling the Poles from Moscow, on the other - Nizhny Novgorod, bringing donations to organize the militia. On the last bas-relief, the extreme figure on the left (a man sending his sons to the people's militia) is Martos with his sons.
The significance of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky went far beyond the memory of the events of 1612. He not only became the first monument in Moscow, but also the first monument depicting a man from the common people.
In 1930, during the reconstruction of Red Square, the monument was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral. Already in our century, justice also triumphed in relation to Nizhny Novgorod, where a copy of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected opposite the fortress gates, from which the people's militia once came out.
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