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Greek Warrior Monument

Greek Warrior Monument is a reconstructed sculpture for the Alexandria dendrological park, where many works were lost after the civil war of 1918–1921 and World War II. In the early 1990s, the park’s leadership decided to rebuild the lost sculptural ensemble based on archival documents. The work was commissioned by Leonid Mordatenko, then director of the State Dendrological Park “Alexandria,” and created by sculptor Volodymyr Shchur. He adapted the ancient Borghese Fighter by adding drapery and a sword, giving the figure more movement while preserving its pose and style. Work began in 1991 and was completed in 1993. The unveiling was dedicated to the park’s 200th anniversary. The statue measures 270 × 170 cm.

Bronze Greek warrior monument showing a helmeted soldier with a shield and raised sword.
The Greek Warrior Monument depicts a helmeted soldier standing with a shield and sword in a wooded outdoor setting.
November 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bronze Greek Warrior Monument of a helmeted figure holding a shield and short blade beside tall trees.
The Greek Warrior Monument stands on a weathered stone pedestal in a wooded setting.
October 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bronze Greek Warrior Monument of an armored fighter with a shield and raised sword in a forest setting.
The Greek Warrior Monument depicts an armored fighter standing outdoors with a shield and sword.
May 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Greek Warrior Monument: a bronze armored warrior with a crested helmet, shield, and blade among tall trees.
The Greek Warrior Monument stands in a forested setting, depicting an armored warrior with a shield and blade.
May 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Greek Warrior Monument showing a bronze-toned armored figure with a helmet, sword, and shield among trees.
The Greek Warrior Monument stands on a stone pedestal amid lush forest greenery.
May 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleGreek warrior monument
SubjectBorghese Gladiator (Borghese fighter)

Historical context

DedicationDedicated to the 200th anniversary of the park
Reconstruction decisionThe park administration decided in the early 1990s to reconstruct the park’s sculptural ensemble

Discovery and provenance

Basis for reconstructionThe lost figures were restored according to archival documents
Loss of originalThe original sculpture disappeared after the 1918–1921 Civil War and World War II, when the park suffered major losses

Creator

Sculptor's contributionHe proposed a sketch of the fighter and added drapery and a sword
Original work relationThe sculpture preserves the style and pose of the original figure by Agasias of Ephesus
Original antique creatorAgasias of Ephesus
CommissionerLeonid Petrovych Mordatenko, then director of the State Dendrological Park "Olexandria"
SculptorVolodymyr Ivanovych Shchur

History and restoration

Work period1991–1993
Completion methodThe figure was finally cast and finished in 1993
Stylistic redesignThe sculpture gained more expressive movement and a more interesting appearance while preserving the style and pose of the original antique figure

Location and ownership

ParkAlexandria Park (Dendrological Park "Olexandria")
Location in parkOpposite the "Ruins," on a hill above the Bath Pond in Alexandria Park

Physical characteristics

Dimensions270 × 170 cm