A towering bronze figure stares out across the Neva. This is the Monument to Peter I in the Peter and Paul Fortress a powerful symbol of St Petersburg.
Before you stands a remarkable statue. It’s not just a bronze casting. It’s a story etched in metal. Created by Mihail Chemiakin it was a gift to the city. Cast in the United States in the 1980s it arrived in St Petersburg in 1991.
The statue is 190 meters tall. It sits on a granite base only 36 meters high. Peter the Great sits enthroned. His pose is based on a wax figure by Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Chemiakin used a life mask of Peter’s face for the head. This mask was made in 1719 six years before Peter’s death. Chemiakin however elongated Peter’s body making it a grotesque image. This initially caused some controversy among the locals.
The statue’s creation was an eight-year project. Chemiakin actually made three versions. The other two reside in Normandy France and Claverack New York. Inspired by his friend Vladimir Vysotsky Chemiakin began with Rastrelli’s proportions. He then stretched Peter’s form to evoke Russian icons.
The Monument to Peter I more than just a statue. It’s a testament to a city’s founder. It’s a piece of art that sparked debate and ultimately became a beloved symbol. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Peter the Great. It’s a story in bronze a story we can all witness today.