The composition “Cobblestone is the weapon of the proletariat” is one of the most famous works not only in Russian, but also in world sculpture. It was created in 1927 by the famous sculptor I.D. Shadr. The work was done in the classical style, however, it gained popularity due to the fact that the author filled the traditional form with new, modern content, reflecting in the symbolic image of the simple working pathos of the revolutionary struggle for freedom.
General characteristics of creativity
Shadr became famous as the creator of monumental sculptures in the "modern" style. Many of his works are imbued with a romantic spirit. In his work, he used elements of folk architecture. The author showed great interest in the human body, in the anatomical details, which made his images so convincing. His works have a deep philosophical meaning: Shadr sought to show a human figure frozen in a dead stone, who is trying to overcome it and break out. Therefore, the sculptor’s works are distinguished by amazing plasticity and dynamics. A striking example of this is the composition "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat." Perhaps, it was in this work that the artist’s creative principles found their greatest embodiment. However, in addition to this sculpture, he created many other portrait images and figures of people from ordinary people: the Red Guard, the sower, the peasant.
Description
Shadr created his famous composition in memory of the events of the first Russian revolution that took place in 1905. The work was done in the classical style, in which the author was very well versed, since at one time he studied this art in Rome and Paris. The composition is based on the figure of a simple worker. "Cobblestone is the weapon of the proletariat" is an image of a man tearing a stone from the pavement. The body of this man is made in the best ancient traditions, but the author filled the sculpture with revolutionary content. The face of the model depicts a willingness to fight, confrontation. At the same time, many critics noted that the author showed a desperate person who was ready to take extreme measures in order to somehow overcome the need.
Perception
Not all immediately appreciated this work. The sculpture "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat" was criticized for the fact that it was made in the classical style, which was supposed to be abandoned at the time. Nevertheless, a contemporary of the author Nesterov noted that in his new work, the author combined the beauty of spirit and form, which was the main principle of ancient art. The composition was presented in the year of the decade of the October Revolution.
Installation
One of the most famous Soviet sculptors was Shadr. “Cobblestone is the weapon of the proletariat” - its most famous composition, which was installed not only in the capital, but also in a number of other cities. It is significant that the sculpture was originally made of plaster, but twenty years later it was cast in bronze. It was installed in a Moscow park dedicated to the December uprising of 1905, near the Krasnopresnensky district, where the most fierce armed clashes then took place. The sculpture "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat" was located on the background of a granite board with Lenin 's statement about the struggle of Presnensky workers.
Value
This work has become a real world masterpiece and is perhaps the most famous work of the artist, who also came up with such an expressive name for it. However, today it has received a somewhat ironic and even sarcastic sound, meaning too simple and straightforward way to achieve the goal. Nevertheless, the sculpture "Cobblestone - the weapon of the proletariat", whose author became famous for a number of monumental works, has become a real classic in art.