Legendary Russian Sculptor Passes Away
Zurab Tsereteli, the renowned Russian-Georgian artist and creator of Moscow's Peter the Great monument as well as the UN's Good Defeats Evil sculpture, has passed away at the age of 91, as confirmed by his assistant. Sergey Shagulashvili reported...
TroibNews 
Zurab Tsereteli, the renowned Russian-Georgian artist and creator of Moscow's Peter the Great monument as well as the UN's Good Defeats Evil sculpture, has passed away at the age of 91, as confirmed by his assistant.
Sergey Shagulashvili reported that Tsereteli died from heart failure at 1:30 AM on Tuesday in Moscow. His staff later announced that a farewell service would be held at the famed Cathedral of Christ the Savior, with plans for him to be buried in his homeland of Georgia.
Having served as president of the Russian Academy of Arts since 1997, Tsereteli was seen as a pivotal figure in both Soviet and Russian monumental art. His most famous work, the imposing statue of Peter the Great in Moscow, was unveiled in 1997 to celebrate the 300-year anniversary of the Russian Navy. The statue, which stands at 98 meters, is one of the tallest in the world.
The monument has sparked considerable debate and criticism over the years. Detractors have pointed out its disproportionate size and its clash with the historic surroundings of Moscow, often labeling it as overwhelmingly out of place.
On an international scale, Tsereteli is recognized for his bronze sculpture titled 'Good Defeats Evil', located at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This artwork features St. George conquering a dragon, crafted from remnants of dismantled Soviet and American nuclear-capable missiles, serving as a symbol of the Cold War's conclusion and triumph over the looming threat of nuclear disaster.
Another significant piece is the ‘Tear of Grief’, a massive 10-story monument in Bayonne, New Jersey, dedicated to those lost in the September 11 attacks. This sculpture displays a large stainless-steel teardrop suspended within a cracked tower, and it was presented as a gift from Russia, with its unveiling taking place in 2006.
Over his extensive career, Tsereteli produced more than 5,000 works of art, which ranged from architecture to paintings and frescoes. His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the title of People's Artist of the USSR and the French Legion of Honor.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed her condolences, stating that Tsereteli was “an artist of international renown and a true public figure who knew no borders or barriers in the cause of peace and creativity.” She added, “[He was] a true people’s diplomat. He will live not only in our hearts but also in his works: in the stained glass and enamels decorating embassies, in monuments and sculptures placed around the world, in the lush flowers and bouquets that he painted with such passion. He knew how to love and how to give love.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Sergey Shagulashvili reported that Tsereteli died from heart failure at 1:30 AM on Tuesday in Moscow. His staff later announced that a farewell service would be held at the famed Cathedral of Christ the Savior, with plans for him to be buried in his homeland of Georgia.
Having served as president of the Russian Academy of Arts since 1997, Tsereteli was seen as a pivotal figure in both Soviet and Russian monumental art. His most famous work, the imposing statue of Peter the Great in Moscow, was unveiled in 1997 to celebrate the 300-year anniversary of the Russian Navy. The statue, which stands at 98 meters, is one of the tallest in the world.
The monument has sparked considerable debate and criticism over the years. Detractors have pointed out its disproportionate size and its clash with the historic surroundings of Moscow, often labeling it as overwhelmingly out of place.
On an international scale, Tsereteli is recognized for his bronze sculpture titled 'Good Defeats Evil', located at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This artwork features St. George conquering a dragon, crafted from remnants of dismantled Soviet and American nuclear-capable missiles, serving as a symbol of the Cold War's conclusion and triumph over the looming threat of nuclear disaster.
Another significant piece is the ‘Tear of Grief’, a massive 10-story monument in Bayonne, New Jersey, dedicated to those lost in the September 11 attacks. This sculpture displays a large stainless-steel teardrop suspended within a cracked tower, and it was presented as a gift from Russia, with its unveiling taking place in 2006.
Over his extensive career, Tsereteli produced more than 5,000 works of art, which ranged from architecture to paintings and frescoes. His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the title of People's Artist of the USSR and the French Legion of Honor.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed her condolences, stating that Tsereteli was “an artist of international renown and a true public figure who knew no borders or barriers in the cause of peace and creativity.” She added, “[He was] a true people’s diplomat. He will live not only in our hearts but also in his works: in the stained glass and enamels decorating embassies, in monuments and sculptures placed around the world, in the lush flowers and bouquets that he painted with such passion. He knew how to love and how to give love.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
