Ernst Neizvestny occupies a worthy place among the outstanding sculptors of the world. Sculptures, photos of which can be seen in all art textbooks of the 20th century, betray an unusual view of the world. The works of the Unknown are always recognizable and make a vivid impression with their expression and vitality. The life of the artist was not easy, but he was able to maintain his individuality, humor and optimism until the very end of his days.

Biography milestones

Ernst Neizvestny was born on April 9, 1925 in Sverdlovsk. Parents, a doctor and a poetess, were repressed in the 30s. The boy's talent manifested itself very early, he attended art school as a child, and at the age of 17 he entered the school at the Academy of Arts. During the Second World War, Ernst volunteered for the front and, after training, went to serve in the airborne troops. In 1945 he was severely wounded and sent for treatment. For the battle in which he was wounded, Neizvestny was presented with the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. But because of the surname there was confusion, and for 28 years the award commission could not find Ernst. Just at that time, Unknown had a direct conflict with Khrushchev on the topic of art, and the title of Hero was never given to the artist, replacing him. After the war, Unknown was educated at the Riga Academy of Arts, at the Institute. Surikov, at the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow State University. By the mid-1950s, Ernst Iosifovich became a prominent nonconformist artist. In 1962 he takes part in the exhibition contemporary art, defeated by N. S. Khrushchev. From that time on, it became difficult for Neizvestny to work in the USSR, and in 1976 he emigrated, first to Switzerland and then to the USA, where he would live most of his life. After perestroika, Ernst Iosifovich often visited Russia. His works are in private and museum collections in his homeland and in many countries of the world. Unknown was married several times, he left a daughter. At the age of 88, he underwent a complex operation and continued to create and live to the fullest for several more years. The artist died on August 9, 2016 in New York.

creative way

Since the late 1950s, Neizvestny has been actively working and experimenting. First of all, he is realized as a sculptor. But since the 70s, he has been devoting a lot of time to graphics, illustrating literary works, in particular, "Crime and Punishment" by F.M. Dostoevsky. In the USSR, Neizvestny had only two exhibitions, after which he was subjected to harassment for his desire for avant-garde art. Since 1965, he has been actively participating in exhibitions in the West. Before leaving abroad, Ernst managed to create 850 different works in the USSR. And after emigration, the Unknown became a regular participant in various artistic events in different countries peace. He has always been characterized by a very high productivity of work. The sculptures of Ernst Neizvestny are gaining great popularity, he is quickly becoming a real celebrity. After perestroika, the artist again actively began to work in his homeland. Since the end of the 20th century, the Unknown has been perceived throughout the world as a living classic, master.

Author's style of Ernst Neizvestny

Already in his early years he showed innovation. Sculptures by Ernst Neizvestny combine deep symbolism and powerful expressionism. He is the ancestor of the new sculpture of the 20th century. His creations are universal metaphors with the deepest philosophical sense, not in vain, some critics, trying to define his style, called the work of Neizvestny "intellectual sculpture". In his mature work, Ernst Iosifovich most often refers to human body, trying to connect it with the world of artifacts, the artist called it "second nature". The main theme of his work is humanism, it is tragedy human life, its meaning most of all occupied the Unknown throughout his life. He constantly turned to the limit human problems, he was interested in the highest manifestations of the human spirit. The features of his author's style, the researchers call large-scale, expressive deformation of the image, a high degree of generalization of the image.

The most famous sculptures of Ernst Neizvestny

The creative heritage of Ernst Neizvestny is huge, so far no one has undertaken to calculate how many works the master created. He has always been a great worker, so there is a very large number of his creations. His most famous works include: a monument to N. Khrushchev, monumental sculptures "The Tree of Life" and "Orpheus", the composition "Prometheus and the Children of the World", the monument "Lotus Flower", sculptural portraits of A. Tarkovsky and D. Shostakovich, a religious work " Heart of Christ”, sculpture “Golden Child” in Odessa, monument “Renaissance”. This list is completely incomplete, since the artist had a lot of creations. not only is it a collectible, but often it becomes part of the human environment. Many modern monumentalists created specially works for different cities, Ernst Neizvestny also often worked. Sculptures in Moscow were installed already during the period of perestroika and are mainly part of mature creativity masters. So, in the capital of Russia you can see such monuments of the artist as the "Tree of Life", "Renaissance", the tombstone of N. Khrushchev.

Orpheus

The two-meter sculpture "Orpheus" by Ernst Neizvestny was created in 1962. The original is kept in the artist's studio in New York. Sketches for this work were used to create a prize figurine. The figurine has an impressive weight - 8.5 kg, and exactly repeats the image of its "big progenitor". The idea of ​​​​creating a sculpture came to the artist after Khrushchev crushed his creations at an art exhibition. In the image of a poet with a torn chest, playing "on the strings of his soul", of course, Ernst Iosifovich conveyed his own experiences of that time.

tree of life

Global, universal problems are always of interest to great artists such as Ernst Neizvestny. The sculptures "The Tree of Life" and "Prometheus and the Children of the World", created according to the plots of myths, are dedicated to the universal issues of being, good and evil. In The Tree of Life, the author refers not only to biblical motifs, but also to the symbols of other religions, as well as elements of island beliefs. In sculpture, you can see the faces of people of all times, from Adam and Eve to Yuri Gagarin. The crown of the whole composition is not in vain the human heart as a symbol of life and feeling. Unknown worked on this creation for over 50 years. Today the sculpture stands in Moscow, and anyone can see it.

Monument to Khrushchev

Khrushchev's sculpture can be considered an example of unexpected life turns. Ernst Neizvestny in the 1960s, after Khrushchev smashed his creations to smithereens, calling Neizvestny's works "degenerate art", could not sell a single work. For 15 years, he sold only 4 works, could not receive government orders, worked as a loader. Therefore, Neizvestny had an understandable negative attitude towards Khrushchev. However, when, after the death of Nikita Sergeevich, his relatives asked to make a tombstone, the sculptor agreed. He created a composition that metaphorically conveyed the idea of ​​struggle and unity of opposites, light and darkness. The work is on Novodevichy cemetery.

Mask of Sorrow

Ernst Neizvestny, whose sculptures can be seen in best museums of the world, often in his work turned to the theme of the lack of freedom of the body and spirit. For several years he worked on the project of a monument to the memory of the victims of repressions in the USSR, called the "Mask of Death". In allegorical form, the artist conveys the idea of ​​hypocrisy of the Soviet political regime. He creates a symbol of grief for wives and mothers who were waiting for the innocently condemned. Inside the monument, a copy of a prison cell is recreated, which can be reached by an iron staircase, like a prison tower. The 15-meter monument is visible from almost anywhere in the city of Magadan - the unspoken capital of Soviet-era camps.

Lotus flower

Describing the sculptures of Ernst Neizvestny, one cannot but recall the grandiose monument "Lotus Flower" in Egypt. The monument symbolized the Soviet-Arab friendship and was installed near the Aswan Dam. This grandiose 75-meter building was created by Neizvestny in collaboration with two architects, who subsequently tried to underestimate the role of the sculptor in the work on the project. One way or another, it was Ernst Iosifovich's sketches that allowed a group of authors to win the competition to create a monument. It is still among the ten highest monuments in the world today. The entire inner surface of the flower is decorated with bas-reliefs based on drawings by Ernst Neizvestny.

Heart of Christ

Ernst Neizvestny, whose sculptures are in the best collections in the world, was honored to create a work stored in the Vatican Museum. The sculpture "Heart of Christ" is a variation on the theme of the canonical crucifixion. The artist creates a complex composition, in the center of which there is a cross, but the figure of Christ is surrounded by a certain essence, symbolizing pain, fear, the cry of a person. The Pope wanted to buy the work, but the sculptor gave it to the priest, and now it adorns the Vatican Museum.

Awards and memory

Sculptures by Ernst Neizvestny are located in different places of the world. In New York, the artist's studio has a good collection of his works. There is an interesting collection in the homeland of Ernst Iosifovich, in Yekaterinburg. Several sculptures and a lot of graphics are kept here. In the Swedish city of Uttersberg there is a museum with a small but good collection of the master's works. But the main works of the artist are on the streets of the cities of the world, some are located in famous cemeteries.

During his life, Ernst Neizvestny received many awards and prizes abroad. The motherland also paid tribute to the artist. He was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, the Order of Honor, State Prize Russian Federation.

In New York, the famous Soviet sculptor Ernst Neizvestny died, he was 91 years old. During his life, the artist created many works that will decorate cities, streets, museums. Let's remember the most famous of them.

Tree of Life, 2004

The Tree of Life, conceived in 1956, was “planted” by Ernest Neizvestny only in 2004. Gagarin and Buddha are on its branches ... The sculpture can be seen in the lobby of the Bagration pedestrian bridge in Moscow.

Drawings from the Capriccio series, 2000

For a major exhibition in Russia in 2012, Ernst Neizvestny selected his works himself. And he decided that the Russians should definitely see a series of his graphic works "Capriccio".

"Renaissance", 2000

The Renaissance monument was erected in 2000 on Bolshaya Ordynka in Moscow as a symbol of a new, prosperous Russia. The central element of the sculpture is the Archangel Michael, the head of the holy army of angels fighting evil.


"Mask of Sorrow", 1996

The monument to the victims of Stalinist repressions "Mask of Sorrow" is located in Magadan. It was opened in 1996. The central sculpture of the memorial is a crying face. Inside the monument is a copy of a typical prison cell.

Monument on the grave of N.S. Khrushchev, 1995

The monument on the grave of Khrushchev (Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow) was created by the sculptor at the request of Nikita Sergeevich's relatives. The work is done in black and white colors, which embodies the duality of the nature of the ex-head of the USSR - the struggle between good and evil in him. By the way, Khrushchev visited an exhibition of Ernst Neizvestny in 1962 and called his works "degenerate art".

"Golden Child", 1995.

The sculpture "Golden Child" is installed in front of the building of the Marine Station in Odessa. This is the largest baby figure in the world. The second name of the sculpture is a monument to the Unborn Genius. “For the first time in my life, I created a monument in a bright, joyful, romantic way. The “Golden Child” is a bright, sunny image of a giant being born,” Ernst Neizvestny himself said.

"TEFI", 1994

Few people know that Ernst Neizvestny is the author famous figurine TEFI, which is awarded in Russia for the highest achievements in the field of television arts. The figurine personifies the ancient Greek character Orpheus, who tears his chest and plays the strings of his soul.

"Screaming Man", 1993

The bronze sculpture "Man Screaming" was made by Neizvestny back in 1993, but it was first exhibited in Russia in 2012.

Through the Wall, 1988

Ernst Neizvestny brought the sculpture “Through the Wall” from the USA to Russia in 1996 as a gift to the then President Boris Yeltsin. The artist expressed the hope that the image of a man breaking through a seemingly insurmountable barrier would help Yeltsin overcome his illnesses.

Lotus Flower, 1971

The Lotus Flower Monument is located on the Aswan Dam in Egypt. It was established in 1971 in honor of the friendship of peoples. Its height is 75 m.

"Centaur Pointing", 1962

One of the main metaphors in the work of Ernst Neizvestny is the centaur. It was this mythical image that he used both in the first and in last years work. In the photo below, you can see a mini-copy of the “Pointing Centaur” presented at the exhibition in Russia, the original of which is installed in front of the UN building in Geneva.

The well-known statuette, which is awarded at the TEFI ceremony, was first created by Unknown in 1962. Then "Orpheus" was two meters in size. His works at the exhibition "30 Years of Moscow Union of Artists" were ruthlessly criticized by Nikita Khrushchev.

The unknown, like his Orpheus, was wounded in the chest during the Great Patriotic War. Ernst himself spoke of his injury:

I was wounded very badly, an explosive bullet pierced my chest, knocked out three ribs, three intervertebral discs, tore the pleura.

"Prometheus and the Children of the World" (1966)

The monumental sculptural composition measuring 150 meters was created in the All-Union camp "Artek". This monument to international friendship and unity of children from all over the world was laid on the stones brought by Artek's guests from 83 countries. The inscription on it reads: "With the heart - a flame, the sun - a radiance, a bonfire - a glow, children of the globe of the earth, the road of friendship, equality, brotherhood, labor, happiness will forever be illuminated!"

Tombstone of Nikita Khrushchev (1975)

Khrushchev once called the works of Neizvestny "degenerate art", like Joseph Goebbels, and this greatly harmed the life of the sculptor: he could not provide for himself and he even had to earn extra money as a loader. But he nevertheless made, at the request of his relatives, a tombstone on the grave of Khrushchev at the Novodevichy cemetery from white and black marble.

"Mask of Sorrow" (1996)

A 30-meter memorial to the victims of political repressions was opened on Krutaya Hill in Magadan. During the Stalinist repressions, there was a transfer point at the same place, from which prisoners were transported to camps in Kolyma. In the right eye of the largest face is a barred window, and inside is a reproduction of a typical Stalin-era prison cell.

"Memory to the miners of Kuzbass" (2003)

The five-ton 15-meter monument was opened on the day of the miner in Kemerovo, the city of engineers and machine builders. The monument to mining work turned out to be not mournful at all: it rather symbolizes the holiness of the feat of those who work underground for the benefit of all mankind. Despite the fact that Neizvestny worked on the monument in New York, the design uses old Soviet equipment: helmets and miner's lamps were delivered to the sculptor from Kemerovo.

"Tree of Life" (2004)

Any Muscovite can see the sculpture while walking along the Bagration Bridge. In shape, it resembles a human heart, and under the branches of the "tree" - images of various great personalities, from Buddha to Yuri Gagarin. In general, the work was conceived as a monument to the human spirit that people carry through the ages.

Ernst Neizvestny is one of the outstanding sculptors of our time, who managed to serve many great powers: the USSR, Russia and the USA.

During his long life, Neizvestny created many sculptures of various subjects, and even now he continues his work.

short biography

Ernst Neizvestny was born on April 9, 1925 in a family of intellectuals. His mother was a writer and his father was a doctor. FROM early years joined the art, and in 1942 he studied at the Leningrad secondary art school, which was at that time in evacuation.

In 1943, he receives a summons and goes to the front. He fought until April 1945, when he was seriously wounded in the battles in Austria. It is considered dead, and receives the Order of the Red Star, and posthumously.

After recovering from his wound, he enters the Riga Academy of Arts, later transferred to the Moscow Art Institute. Then he receives a diploma in philosophy at Moscow State University. In 1955 he became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR, and began an active creative activity. However, his sculptures meet sharp criticism from General Secretary Khrushchev, who evaluates the work of Neizvestny as degenerate art.

Fortunately, this does not greatly prevent him from continuing his work. For some time he was in disgrace, his paintings are not exhibited. A few years later, the disgrace was removed, and Unknown exhibited abroad, where he gained considerable popularity. In 1976 he left the USSR and lived in Switzerland for a year, later migrating to the United States.

In America, he expects a stunning success. His work appears in the prestigious Magna Gallery. In 1989, a biographical film about the Unknown was filmed. Ernst Neizvestny died on August 9, 2016.

The creative path of the sculptor

Ernst Unknown artist of the late period of the USSR. At the beginning of it creative way censorship was no longer comprehensive, so he allowed himself more freedom than his predecessors. At the same time, his work is a great success. His works "No Nuclear War" and "Dead Soldier" appear. The works of the Unknown during this period are distinguished by special pathos and symbolism.

The sculptor had great courage, so he often experiments with forms. The materials used are basically the same. For reliefs, he usually took bronze, and for monuments he used concrete. You can also emphasize the increased deformation of the figures, their exaggeration. At the same time, the theme is often tragic and woeful. This is how Orpheus is born, where the theme of hopelessness and hopelessness is superbly beaten by him.

Ernst Unknown. sculpture mask of sorrow photo

After the migration, the theme changes. Unknown is increasingly creating anti-communist works. For example, his "Man through the wall" is dedicated to the fall of the communist regime. And in 1996, the "Mask of Sorrow" appeared in Magadan - a reminder of the numerous victims of communist power.

Works of the Unknown

Reliefs:

  • Relief at the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology (more than 900 m2);
  • Bas-relief of the state archive of Turkmenistan;
  • "Monument of Friendship of the Children of the World";
  • "Prometheus"

Sculptures:

  • tombstone Khrushchev;
  • "Man through the wall";
  • "Mask of Sorrow";
  • TEFI figurine;
  • "No nuclear war";
  • "Dead Soldier"
  • In the Swedish city of Uttersberg there is a museum of Ernst Neizvestny;
  • The crucifix sculptures by Ernst Neizvestny were acquired by the great pontiff John Paul II for the Vatican Museum.