ANTOKOLSKY Mark Matveevich (Mordukh Matysovich)

October 21, 1843 (Vilnius) - June 26, 1902 (Bad Homburg, Germany)

sculptor, graphic artist

born in the family of the innkeeper. From his early years in wood carving, bone, metal. In 1862-1868 as volnoslushayuschego studied at the sculpture department IAH, first at the N. Pimenov, from 1863 - have I. Reimers. For academic work repeatedly observed medals: in 1864 he was awarded a small silver medal for the high relief "Jew-tailor. Evening work the old man "(the tree), in 1865 - a large silver medal in high relief" stingy Jew "(ivory), in 1868 - a small silver medal for sculpting from life. From 1865 was a scholar of His Imperial Majesty.

In 1868 he went to Berlin, where he worked for six months under the leadership of the German sculptor R. Begas. At the same time attended the classes of the Royal Academy of Arts. In 1871 a statue of Tsar Ivan "was awarded the title of academician IAH.

In the same year for health finally left Russia in 1871-1877 lived in Rome since 1877 - in Paris. Repeatedly visited Russia on matters related to creative and exhibition activities, visited St. Petersburg, Vilna, Abramtsevo near Moscow. Was friendly with Vladimir Stasov and INKramskoy largely shared their views on art. In his articles and letters collected, edited Stasova in 1905, called for the art of spiritual and transformed, criticizing modern civilization.

Engaged in easel and monumental sculpture, turned to small sculptures. The best-known compositions reached and statues dedicated to the historical ( "Peter I», 1872; "King John V. Terrible", 1875, "Nestor the chronicler, 1890) and moral-philosophical (" Christ ", 1876," Mephistopheles, 1883 , "Christian martyr (not from this world)", 1887) subjects. Performed a series of portraits (VV Stasova, 1873, S. Botkin, 1874; S. Polyakova, 1877; M. Ginzburg, 1878; Turgenev, 1880; Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, 1896). In 1875 participated in the competition for the monument to Pushkin in Moscow, worked on sketches of equestrian monuments to Alexander's Bridge in St. Petersburg (the project is not implemented). Created gravestones Princess Obolensky MA at the cemetery of Monte Testaccio in Rome (1875-1877), orientalist AV Hanykova at Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris (1879), Princess T. N. Yusupova for Arkhangelskoye (1888), poet SY Nadson on the necropolis "Literatorskie Marinas" Volkov cemetery in St. Petersburg (1891).

Participated in academic announcements (1862-1900, with interruptions), 1 st exhibition TPHV (1871/1872), exhibitions of the Paris Salon (1881-1884, with interruptions), the international exhibitions in Paris ( 1867, 1878, 1900), London (1872), Munich (1892), Berlin (1896), Vienna (1898) and others. Held solo exhibitions in St. Petersburg (1872, 1880, 1893) and Paris (early 1890).

In 1880 he was awarded the title of professor of sculpture. Since 1893 - Member of IAH. Member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin, the Institute of Art in Urbino. Chevalier Legion of Honor.

buried at Transfiguration Cemetery in Petersburg.

Antokolsky Retrospective exhibitions were held in 1910 in Paris and in 1994 in St. Petersburg.

Antokolsky - a prominent sculptor of the second half of XIX century. In his work searching for new, non-academic tradition methods of treatment of genre and historical subjects. The early works of sculpture devoted to the characteristic facial features of the Jewish shtetl life. They are inherent in "living" naturalism and good-natured humor. In the works of his mature period on historical subjects was able to combine the truth of household items with historical and philosophical generalizations. Artworks Antokolsky inherent Workshop Modeling shape - a broad, clear plastic, then, by contrast, exquisitely flexible, "living" anticipates sculpture symbolism.

creativity of the sculptor is represented in many museum collections - the State Russian Museum, State Tretyakov Gallery, the Scientific Research Museum of Russia Academy of Arts, the State Historical Museum and the Kiev Museum of Russian Art, the National Museum in Warsaw and others.