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Monument to Catherine II of Russia, Saint Petersburg

The Monument to Catherine II of Russia in Saint Petersburg was the result of a long project initiated during the reign of Alexander II. Early designs by Mikeshin were refined into a much grander composition, eventually featuring Catherine II more than four meters high and a series of surrounding statues of important figures such as Suvorov, Rumyantsev, Potemkin, Derzhavin, and others. The monument was designed for a site near the Alexandra Theatre, with David Ivanovich Grimm preparing the terrain and Opekushin carrying out the sculpture. Construction took more than seven years because of funding difficulties. Cast in bronze and set on a granite pedestal, the monument was finally unveiled to the public on Saint Catherine’s Day in the presence of the Emperor.

Catherine II Monument rising above a paved square under a clear blue sky, with a central figure and smaller seated figures on the pedestal.
The Catherine II Monument in St. Petersburg, shown against a clear blue sky.
© Антон Фандофан · CC BY-SA 3.0
Catherine II Monument with a tall bronze statue and surrounding figures on a tiered pedestal.
The Catherine II Monument rises above a tiered pedestal with surrounding historical figures.
May 2010 © · CC BY-SA 2.0 de
Silhouetted Catherine II Monument in a sunlit square with trees, historic buildings, and people walking nearby.
The Catherine II Monument stands in a leafy public square in St. Petersburg.
June 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Catherine II Monument in a snowy square with people walking nearby at dusk.
The Catherine II Monument stands in a snowy public square as pedestrians pass through the gate at dusk.
© · CC BY 3.0
Relief portrait of Catherine II on a commemorative coin with Cyrillic inscriptions and decorative details.
Catherine II Monument depicted on a commemorative coin in relief.
December 2011 © · Public domain

Identification

TitleMonument to Catherine II of Russia, Saint Petersburg
SubjectCatherine II of Russia (Catherine the Great)
TypeMonument / statue

Historical context

Commission purposeA monument to Catherine II, originally timed to the 100th anniversary of her accession to the throne
Initial competitionAnnounced in early 1861; about 8 projects were submitted

Creator

DesignerM. O. Mikeshin
Main sculptorMikhail Opekushin
Site preparationDavid Ivanovich Grimm prepared the site

Discovery and provenance

First design receptionExhibited in London, awarded a medal for technical quality, and approved by Alexander II
Additional figures addedBezborodko and Betskoy were added in 1865; later the monument included nine figures around Catherine II
Project approvalMikeshin's revised project was approved by the emperor despite skepticism from the Academy of Arts
Model display locationsLondon and Tsarskoye Selo; a life-size model was displayed at Tsarskoye Selo in 1862 and later purchased for the Tsarskoye Selo palace near the Cameron Gallery
First design pedestal decorationFour medallions representing Alexander Suvorov, Rumyantsev, Grigori Potemkin, and Derzhavin
First designA graceful woman wearing a laurel wreath and holding a lyre
Final locationCatherine Garden, Saint Petersburg, in front of the Alexandrinsky Theatre
Original intended locationNear Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo

Physical characteristics

Main figure attributesScepter in the right hand and a laurel wreath in the left hand
Base inscriptionFor Empress Catherine II during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, 1873
Base decorationBronze decorations showing a book of law surrounded by symbols of science, art, military and naval art, and agriculture
ClothingLong ermine mantle with a moire ribbon and the chain of the Order of Saint Andrew the First-Called attached to her dress
At feetThe crown of the Russian Empire lies at her feet
Figures beneath the statueNine bronze figures of prominent people from Catherine the Great's reign, shown as if alive, conversing, some seated and others standing
Main figure appearanceA majestic, voluptuous empress
Main figure expressionMajestic, with a slight smile rather than a severe or grave expression
Main figure poseStanding upright on the pedestal
CompositionCatherine II standing on a pedestal with nine prominent figures from her reign beneath her
Overall scaleAbout 15 meters high in the project; the statue of Catherine II is more than 4 meters high

Materials

Main materialBronze
Pedestal materialGranite, including Karelian Isthmus granite and granite of different varieties
Bronze usedAbout 50 tonnes
Transport materialsThe granite was transported by water from the Karelian Isthmus to the Neva embankment near the Summer Garden, then delivered by a special portable railway made at the San-Galli plant

Technique

ConsecrationThe monument was consecrated, but the date is not specified
OpeningOpened in 1873
Completion and unveilingCompleted and unveiled on Saint Catherine's day in 1873, 140 years after the empress's birth, in the presence of the emperor
Foundation stone laying24 November 1869, in the presence of Alexander II and members of the imperial family
Workshop productionThe details were sculpted in a factory in the city during an unspecified period
Construction period1862 to 1873; construction took more than 10 years and was delayed by financial problems

History and restoration

Cost316,000 rubles; total cost including medals, the opening ceremony, and square redevelopment was 456,896 rubles
LandscapingAbout 200 trees were planted around the monument
Later protection and reconstructionSince December 1988 Catherine Garden has been under state protection, and in 1989–2001 it underwent reconstruction with major redevelopment and restoration of the 1878 layout
Vandalism and theftFrom the late 1960s through the 1990s vandals repeatedly stole the sword from Suvorov and removed bronze chains, orders, swords, and other accessories; in one incident the empress was reported to have been dressed in a sailor shirt and holding a bottle, with glass fragments found even on her head
RestorationIn 2003 the stolen items were returned to their places

Significance

Depicted figuresThe figures beneath Catherine represent prominent people of her reign: Rumyantsev, Potemkin, Suvorov, Derzhavin, Dashkova, Bezborodko, Betskoy, Chichagov, and Orlov
Figure identifications and rolesRumyantsev was a general and governor of Ukraine; Potemkin was the empress's lover and colonizer of southern Ukraine; Suvorov was a famous general; Derzhavin was a poet and statesman; Dashkova founded the Imperial Academy of Arts; Bezborodko was chancellor and minister of foreign affairs; Betskoy was president of the Imperial Academy of Arts; Chichagov was an explorer and general in the Russo-Turkish War; Orlov was commander of the Russian naval forces
Figure attributesDerzhavin holds a scroll and looks into the distance like an orator; Suvorov carries a sword; Dashkova reads a book; the figures have their attributes and names inscribed beneath them
Order of Saint AndrewThe imperial Order of Saint Andrew the First-Called was created by Peter of Russia, was the highest distinction in Russia, and included members of the royal family and some influential figures

Other

Legends and rumorsA legend says untold treasures are buried under the monument; at the laying a lady allegedly threw her ring into the pit followed by other ladies; city rumors claimed Soviet authorities once considered excavations in Catherine Garden, but nothing came of the discussions
Coin depictionThe monument was depicted on a Bank of Russia commemorative 100-ruble silver coin issued on 13 December 2011 for the 225th anniversary of the founding of the first Russian Insurance Society; the coin had a mintage of 250 and weighed 1083.74 grams