M.O. MICKESHIN - DESIGNER OF MONUMENTAL SCULPTURES
The article is dedicated to the artistic career of Michael Osypovich Mickeshin - an outstanding representative of monumental art of the second half of XIX century. The designer of many projects, this great artist created splendid gallery of famous monuments to glorify Russia. Mickeshin’s works clearly illustrate his romantic vision of history. He designed projects of many monuments, dedicated to the history of Russia - “Millennium of Russia” in Novgorod, Empress “Catherine II” for Tsarskoje Selo in Saint-Petersburg, Irbit and Ekaterinodar and Emperor “Alexander II” in Rostov-on-Don, to the heroes of military battles: to “Admiral Greig” in Nikolaev-town, to “Sailor Shevchenko” in Nikolaev-town, to Ukraine hetman “Bogdan Khmelnitsky” in Kiev, to the Don ataman “Ermack” in Novocherkassk-town, and to “Russian soldier” in Tashkent-city. All Mickeshin’s projects reveal his broad mind, shrewd and accurate artistic concept; they illustrate his genuine inspiration. Prior to commencement of his works master always made detailed research of historical epoch and figures he was planning to portray. Besides, he studied works of prominent scholars and their points of view on the subjects he researched. Mickeshin was always truly involved in the projects he was working on, being indeed a “fan of his work”. Master actively sought to portray the most outstanding and crucial events of old and new history of Russia, glorifying not only individuals, but national pride of the whole country. He also fulfilled the foreign commissions - for Belgrade, for Lisbon and took part in the competition for the best project of the statue of Joan of Arc in Domremy. Mickeshin was regarded by many as “a minion of fortune”, a court artist. However, the detailed study of materials on his artistic career and of his life in general, reveals different facts: it was not as easy as it might seem for master to get commissions. He was extremely prolific artist, participating in various competitions, when the necessity of erecting new monuments in different towns was brought up. Not being a sculptor himself, he masterly executed watercolor sketches of the monument, conveying it’s three-dimensional composition; he mastered to perfection all details of shades and hues. Master always gave accurate description of his projects, revealing the detailed characteristics, not only of the main figures, but of supporting, as well.