Andreyan Dmitrievich Zakharov, who gave his life years to the formation of the appearance of St. Petersburg, is known throughout the world as the author of the Admiralty building. It is difficult to overestimate its significance for Russian architecture; it determined the direction of development of domestic architecture for a long period.
Childhood
HELL. Zakharov, an architect, was born on August 8, 1761 in St. Petersburg in the family of an admiralty official, chief officer. His father, Dmitry Ivanovich Zakharov, received a very modest salary, but was able to raise two sons, who made up the pride of the Fatherland. The eldest son - Yakov Dmitrievich Zakharov - became an academician, professor of chemistry and mechanics. The younger - Andreyan Dmitrievich Zakharov - became an outstanding architect. From an early age, the father raised in his sons hard work and curiosity. He carefully looked at the abilities of children and was able to see their talents. Andreyan at the age of 6 was sent to school at the Academy of Arts. In the classroom, he very soon becomes one of the best students. Two years later, the boy receives his first award for academic success - a book.
Gaining a calling
After graduating from college, A. D. Zakharov enters the architectural class of the Academy of Arts. The abilities of the young man help him quickly achieve success in learning, teachers noted his spatial vision. He studied with outstanding masters: A.F. Kokorinova, Yu.M. Felten, I.E. Starova. Andreyan Dmitrievich Zakharov achieves excellent results in architectural craft and in 1782 brilliantly graduated from the Academy. It is produced "in the 14th class of artists" and awarded with a medal.
Brilliant student
Over the years of study, Andreyan Zakharov collected a full set of Academy medals. One of the debut works of the future architect - the project "Country House" - receives a small silver medal from the Academy. This is the highest award for junior students. In 1780 he was awarded a large silver medal, and upon graduation, a gold medal for the project "Fokzal" ("Amusement House") and a trip to Paris "to gain further success in architecture." At this time, A.D. Zakharov was fascinated by the ideas of classicism, striving to embody new ideals in the material.
In 1782, Andreyan, along with three fellow practitioners, came to Paris. Here they begin to attend a full-class drawing class. Zakharov learns from the leading French architect J.F. Chalgren, and is also influenced by the most progressive architect of Paris, K. Ledoux, whose powerful monumental and ideal simplicity projects fascinated a student from Russia. Schalgren, the author of the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, was the brightest representative of French classicism, an innovator and an advanced architect; his ideas organically fell into the prepared ground for the views of A. Zakharov. At this time, his aesthetic concept is formed and the author’s method matures, which has yet to be embodied in the structures.
First steps in the profession
In 1786, A. D. Zakharov returned to Russia, full of plans and hopes for the future. He is instructed to show his skills in the completion project of the Academy of Arts building, for several years he has to manage the repair, completion and alteration of the building, this uncreative and burdensome work greatly tired the architect. Only in 1790 he was able to transfer the affairs of the improvement of the Academy to another architect. Zakharov carries out small orders, for example, a project for a school in the village of Lyubuchi. The first notable work of the architect appears in 1791, this is a solemn decoration on the occasion of the conclusion of peace with Turkey. In this project, Zakharov proved himself not only as a highly skilled specialist, but also as a patriot. In his work, he embodied the idea of ​​the greatness of Russia and his pride in Suvorov’s feat during the capture of Ishmael.
Educational activities
Andreyan Dmitrievich Zakharov, whose biography is inextricably linked with St. Petersburg, immediately after returning to his homeland comes to his native Academy in search of work. In 1787 he was enrolled as an associate professor, in 1792 he defended the project and became a professor at the Academy. Zakharov did not leave his pedagogical activity until the end of his life. He turned out to be a talented teacher, over the years he was able to make a good career, as well as release many worthy students. In particular, A.N. Voronikhin, his student was an outstanding Russian architect A.I. Melnikov.
Gatchina Architect
In 1799, Andreyan Dmitrievich Zakharov, whose work and projects were noticed by the highest leadership of the country. Pavel the First appoints him as the chief architect of Gatchina, while retaining the position of professor at the Academy. Here he creates designs for several buildings and structures. At first he began to work on a monastery project, but the death of Paul did not allow to realize this project. In it, Zakharov wanted to embody the Novgorod-Pskov traditions of temple architecture. Under his leadership, the Lutheran Church is being built in Gatchina; it has not survived to this day. He also designs two bridges: Brokeback and Lion, manages to finish two pavilions: "Birdhouse" and "Farm". The first was built, and the construction of the second was stopped by the death of Paul.
At the same time, Zakharov takes part in the creation of the scientific work “Russian Architecture”, which gives him the opportunity to examine in detail the features of national traditions and travel around the country. During this time, he deeply penetrated the foundations of Russian architecture, realized the specifics and power of the Russian landscape, and was ready to create large projects.
Work on the appearance of Vasilievsky Island
A. D. Zakharov developed in his mastery; he harmoniously combined a talented architect and an excellent practical builder. He is invited by an expert to all major projects carried out in St. Petersburg. So he makes a significant contribution to the creation of the Exchange project. In 1804, the architect creates a project for the development of the embankment of Vasilyevsky Island with the reconstruction of the building of the Academy of Arts. In it, the architect wanted to embody the best traditions of French architecture with arches and colonnades. The project was highly appreciated by experts and colleagues, but the plan was not implemented, documents and schemes were not preserved. At the same time, Andreyan Dmitrievich was working on a development plan for the Nizhny Novgorod Fair, creating a project for the Foundry for the Academy of Arts.
Matter of Life - Admiralty
A. D. Zakharov, a Russian architect who went down in history as the creator of one of the most important buildings in St. Petersburg - the Admiralty. In 1805, he was appointed chief architect of the Admiralty Department, which at that time was huge and required many buildings. Zakharov created many projects, not all of them were implemented, some structures were not preserved, but the scale of the work was impressive. He designed for many cities of Russia: Kronstadt, St. Petersburg, Kherson, Revel, Arkhangelsk, there was a lot of work. Zakharov was very sensitive to each project and did not leave without completion, sometimes very significant, not a single building, from small office buildings to the main buildings of the Admiralty in Arkhangelsk and Astrakhan. In these projects, the talent of Zakharov, the urban planner, was manifested, he determined the appearance of the embankments of many cities of Russia. The most significant works were the buildings of the Black Sea Hospital in Kherson, the Cadet Corps in Nikolaev, the project of the Cable Plant in Arkhangelsk.
Nevertheless, the main business of Zakharov’s life was the project of the main building of the St. Petersburg Admiralty. He created a spectacular, large-scale construction, the length of its facade is 400 meters. The rhythm and symmetry of the facade decorated with sculptures looks majestic and ceremonial. A tower with a spire and a golden boat sets the vertical, which has become the dominant urban landscape. The building has become the pinnacle of Zakharov’s creativity, everything is perfect in this building: from thoughtful functionality to a majestic and harmonious appearance.
Architect's work
Andreyan Dmitrievich Zakharov, whose photos of buildings are now decorated with all the textbooks on Russian architecture, has created many projects of various sizes in many cities of the country. The most notable works were:
- St. Andrew the First-Called Cathedral in Kronstadt;
- development plan of the "Proviant Island" in the Admiralty of St. Petersburg;
- Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine in Yekaterinoslav;
- Maritime hospital on the Vyborg side of St. Petersburg;
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Izhevsk;
- redevelopment of the Main Rowing Port in St. Petersburg.
Many of Zakharov’s buildings have not survived to the present day, but his legacy is appreciated by descendants.
Private life
The architect Andreyan Dmitrievich Zakharov devoted his whole life to his favorite work. He taught a lot, worked on projects, and did not manage to arrange personal happiness. He devoted his free time to studying books on mechanics, art, technology, and was interested in carpentry. Zakharov suffered from heart attacks, but did not attach any importance to this. In the summer of 1811 he became very ill and died on September 8. The Academy of Arts expressed its deepest sorrow over his untimely departure. Unfortunately, the great architect never managed to see any of his large projects completed, many of his works were ahead of time and were not implemented.