Gaze upon this bronze figure. This is the M Yu Lermontov Statue. It stands proudly a testament to a literary giant.
This monument to Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov wasn’t erected overnight. The idea first surfaced in 1907. Major General L V De Witt head of the Nikolaev Cavalry School initiated the project. Lermontov himself had studied at this very school. Funds were raised through public subscription.
The statue’s unveiling was delayed by the First World War. Originally planned for October 1 1914 it finally opened on May 9 1916. This was the 75th anniversary of Lermontov’s death. The street itself was renamed Lermontovsky Prospekt that same year.
The sculptor Boris Mikeshin chose to depict Lermontov in military uniform seated in an armchair. An overcoat drapes over his shoulders. This isn’t just a statue it’s a meticulously crafted scene. The red polished granite pedestal holds a bronze bas-relief. This depicts armor a lyre and a wreath. The inscription clearly states “M Yu Lermontov 1814-1841”. A bronze lion’s face sits below. The reverse of the pedestal lists Lermontov’s major works. These include “Demon” “Angel” “Borodino” “Hero of Our Time” and many more. Two granite benches extend from the pedestal creating a semicircle. Bronze lamps on lion paws stand at each end.
Notice the details. The artist’s skill is evident in every detail. From Lermontov’s thoughtful pose to the finely rendered bas-relief. This statue isn’t simply a commemoration. It’s an immersive experience. It allows us to connect with a great literary figure. This is far more than just a bronze statue. It is a story waiting to be explored. The story of Mikhail Lermontov a story deeply entwined with the history of Saint Petersburg itself.