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Renowned Sculptor Zurab Tsereteli Passes Away at 91
Zurab Tsereteli, the celebrated Georgian-Russian artist recognized for his colossal and often debated public monuments, has died at the age of 91. The artist, famed for large-scale sculptures across Moscow and internationally, leaves behind a legacy marked by grand artistic visions and close ties to political figures.
Early Life and Soviet Era Recognition
Born in Tbilisi, Tsereteli was a versatile creative force, working as a sculptor, painter, and architect. He garnered prominence during the Soviet period, leading the design team for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. This early success paved the way for his subsequent construction of monumental sculptures in cities around the globe.
Monumental Works and Public Reaction
Tsereteli’s career was defined by large-scale projects, which frequently provoked varied public responses. His 98-meter (321ft) monument to Tsar Peter the Great in Moscow, a figure known to have disliked the city, is a prime example. Despite some critical reception, particularly from Moscow residents who voiced their disapproval of the Peter the Great statue to the BBC in 2010, Tsereteli remained a respected figure within the art community and held the position of president of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Global Presence of Tsereteli’s Sculptures
His expansive creations are situated in numerous cities worldwide. Notable examples include:
- A monument to Christopher Columbus in Seville, Spain.
- The Chronicle of Georgia monument in his native Tbilisi.
- The poignant ten-story Tear of Grief monument in New Jersey, commemorating the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks, a gift from the Russian government to the United States.
Controversies and International Projects
Another significant work, Good Defeats Evil, is located at the UN Headquarters in New York. This sculpture depicts St. George slaying a dragon amidst fragments of US and Soviet missiles, symbolizing the triumph over nuclear conflict following the historic treaty between the Soviet Union and the United States, as stated on the UN website.
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French Statue Controversy and Later Works
In 2006, Tsereteli encountered controversy in a small French town when his imposing 8.75-meter (29 ft) bronze statue of Pope John Paul II was erected. Opponents argued that the statue contravened France’s laws on secularism.
Birth of the New World, Tsereteli’s colossal monument to Christopher Columbus’s initial voyage, stands as one of the world’s tallest sculptures at 110 meters (360ft). After being declined by several US cities, it was ultimately erected in Puerto Rico.
Beyond Monumental Sculpture
Beyond his massive public works, Tsereteli also created smaller bronze studies of notable individuals, including Princess Diana and Vladimir Putin. He further demonstrated his artistic range as a painter, particularly of floral subjects, and as an architect, notably playing a key role in the reconstruction of Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Close Ties to Political Elite
Tsereteli maintained close connections with the Russian political establishment. He was a known friend of former Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, and his privileged position during the Soviet era facilitated international travel, including a meeting with Pablo Picasso in Paris.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in a social media tribute, described Tsereteli as “an artist of global renown, a public figure who knew no borders or impediments in promoting peace and supporting creativity,” emphasizing that his legacy would endure through his works.