Four bronze figures command attention. These are The Horse Tamers. They adorn St. Petersburg’s Anichkov Bridge. Have you ever wondered about the story behind these iconic sculptures?
The Anichkov Bridge crosses the Fontanka River. It is located on Nevsky Prospekt in the heart of the city. The Horse Tamers are among the most recognizable monuments.
Baron Peter Clodt von Jurgensburg created The Horse Tamers. He was a former artillery officer. Clodt had a deep love for animals. Horses were his particular passion. This made him a favorite of Emperor Nicholas I.
Clodt initially designed two statues in the 1830s. These were “Horse with Walking Youth” and “Youth Taking a Horse by the Bridle”. They were intended for the quay near the Academy of Fine Arts. However, that site was selected for the Ancient Egyptian Sphinxes. Clodt then suggested placing his statues on the Anichkov Bridge’s western end.
The sculptures were highly esteemed. They were presented to King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia as a gift. A second pair was cast in bronze for King Ferdinand II of Sicily. You can still see them in front of the Royal Palace in Naples.
St. Petersburg had only plaster copies until 1851. Bronze castings of the original two statues were installed then. Two additional statues on the same theme were also added. They were placed at the bridge’s four corners.
All four statues were modeled after the same Arabian stallion. His name was Amalatbek. Clodt’s daughter helped him. She made the horse prance while her father sketched.
The statues have been removed from their pedestals twice. The first time was in 1941. This was to protect them during the Siege of Leningrad. The second time was in 2000. This was for restoration work before St. Petersburg’s tercentenary celebrations.
Peter Clodt personally cast the sculptures in bronze. Originally, only the bridge’s west side had bronze figures. Plaster sculptures stood on the other side. Tsar Nicholas I gifted the bronze statues to the King of Prussia.
Legend says Clodt used Tsar Nicholas I’s posture as a model. The Tsar loved equestrianism. Once, Clodt’s horse ran wildly during a ride with the Tsar. Clodt accidentally overtook the Emperor. This was a breach of etiquette. Instead of anger, the Tsar quipped. He said, “Dear friend, you sculpt horses much better than you ride them…”
Another version claims Clodt surpassed the Tsar on the Anichkov Bridge. The Tsar then pardoned him. Clodt was thus “pardoned” where he built one of St. Petersburg’s most beautiful works.
These sculptures depict man’s struggle to tame nature. They also show the relationship between humans and animals. The Horse Tamers embody strength and control. They have become enduring symbols of St. Petersburg. They stand as a testament to Clodt’s skill. They are also a reminder of the city’s rich history.