The outstanding Russian architect Andrei Nikiforovich Voronikhin made an impressive contribution to the development of domestic architecture. Its buildings create the unique look of St. Petersburg. And the life of the architect itself is worthy of admiration and surprise, having gone from serf to court, he remained true to himself and his character.
Family and childhood
A.N. Voronikhin was born on October 17, 1759 in the village of New Usolye of the Perm province. His father was a serf of Count A. S. Stroganov. In later times, there was a rumor in Petersburg that Andrei was the result of Stroganov's extramarital affair with the fortress Martha. But the architect himself never touched on this topic, and all his relatives categorically refute this version. Alexander Stroganov was a president of the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg for a long time, various art crafts were developed on his estate, several workshops existed. In one of them, in the icon painting workshop, little Andrey was trained, who showed his ability to draw very early.
Vocation
Stroganov sensitively looked at the talents of people and early noticed the boy's abilities in a serf family. So Andrew got into the workshop of Gavrila Yushkov in the village of Ilyinsky, at the Tyskorsky monastery. In 1777, Stroganov sent the young man to continue his education in Moscow, where Andrei Nikiforovich Voronikhin studied painting. He receives the skills of a miniaturist, then learns promising painting. But at this time, fate brings him to the largest architects of Moscow - V. I. Bazhenov and M. F. Kazakov. Under their influence, Voronikhin is interested in architecture. Painting remains a hobby for him and an additional opportunity to express his ideas in architecture. In 1778, he took part in the painting of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in a team with other Moscow masters.
Years of study
In 1779, Count Stroganov transported Voronikhin to St. Petersburg so that he could seriously study architecture. He lives in the count’s house, is friends with his son Paul. The young men make several trips around Russia, visit Moscow, southern Russia, Ukraine, and inspect the Black Sea coast. In total, the journey lasted five years. The young men became extremely close to each other, feeling almost like brothers. Their education is carried out by a teacher discharged from France on the recommendation of Denis Didro - Gilbert Romm. Young people gain systematic knowledge in history, science, mathematics, and languages. Such an education was commonplace in Russia at that time.
In 1786, Count Stroganov gives the serf Voronikhin free, and he almost as an equal goes with Pavel Alexandrovich and Gilbert Romm on a large overseas tour, financed by Count Stroganov. This way of gaining knowledge of the world was also typical of the 18th century. Andrei Voronikhin, whose biography is closely connected with the Stroganovs family, visits Pavel, Germany, Switzerland and France. There Voronikhin received the broadest knowledge of architecture, he carefully studied the constructions of Europe, in particular, devoted many hours to the study of the Pantheon in Paris, and made many sketches.
Revolutionary youth
The future architect Voronikhin and Count Pavel Stroganov stayed in Paris for a long time, where they studied architecture, mechanics, and history. There they found the French Revolution. Young people's teacher Gilbert Romm was an active Republican and was able to infect Stroganov with his ideas, while Voronikhin was far from revolutionary events, he was more interested in art. He spends a lot of time in libraries, visits museums, is fond of empire and is finally affirmed in the desire to become an architect. And Pavel and Gilbert actively participate in revolutionary actions. Count A. N. Stroganov urgently requires young people to return to their homeland. Romm remains in Paris, becomes one of the leaders of the revolutionaries, even enters into the Convention, works on the new calendar of the Republic. Later he, along with other revolutionaries, is guillotined.
First steps in the profession
In 1790, the architect returned to St. Petersburg, and his patron decided that he was ready for serious work, and entrusted him with the reconstruction and decoration of his palace, which had been badly damaged in the fire. At the head of the reconstruction stands Voronikhin. The works covered a huge area, he is completing a library, art gallery, dining room, decorates the lobby and mineral room. The former baroque finish created by Rastrelli, the architect changes to a strict classical style. Stroganov is very pleased with his protege. Voronikhin, whose buildings are distinguished by solidity and exquisite style, proved to be a serious and competent architect. This paved the way for him in the profession.
Becoming a master
After finishing work in the Stroganov Palace, the architect Voronikhin proceeds with the reconstruction of the cottage of the Count on the Black River, then the decoration of the house in the estate of Gorodnya. These large projects allowed the architect to establish himself in his ideas about residential architecture, he acquires practical skills and is gradually gaining professional strength and confidence.
For the design of the colonnades for the imperial residence in Peterhof, Voronikhin receives the title of academician of architecture. Earlier, in 1797, he had already received the title of Academician of Advanced Painting for a cycle of city landscapes, including the work “View of an Art Gallery in the Stroganov Palace”, “View of the Stroganov Cottage”, in which he harmoniously combined his two favorite crafts.
Stroganov’s dacha in the New Village, created by Voronikhin, was the final construction of the initial period in the work of the architect. In this building, the scale and strength of the talent of the architect is already fully visible.
Kazan Cathedral
In 1799, a competition was announced in St. Petersburg for the project of the Kazan Church on Nevsky Prospekt. Emperor Pavel the First really wanted to see in the capital of Russia a structure similar in magnificence to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Many eminent architects submit their projects for consideration, but Andrei Voronikhin, a little-known one, still wins the competition. Kazan Cathedral was founded in 1801 and was built for 10 years. The project organically continued the Palladian style that Charles Cameron developed in Russia . Voronikhin collaborated with an English architect, and in the future replaced him with imperial orders. The architect achieves the desired resemblance to the cathedral in Rome with the help of a semicircular colonnade, which opens on Nevsky Prospect. The grandiose building has become one of the most original buildings in Russia. Moreover, the work on its creation was complicated by the lack of space, as well as the lack of funds, which required constant changes in the decoration of the cathedral. The temple was consecrated in 1811, at the same time the author of the project was awarded the Order of St. Anne and the right to receive a pension from the state treasury.
Mining Institute
In 1803, Voronikhin began work on the second most significant project in his life - the building of the Mining Institute. Alexander the First posed a daunting task for the architect - to create a structure by which foreigners would judge the greatness of the Russian state. A.N. Voronikhin designs the building in his beloved Greek style, but does not directly copy antique architecture, but creates a modern view of it. A grandiose portico with columns gives the building special significance and grandeur. The impression is reinforced by two large sculptural groups “Hercules and Antei” and “The Abduction of Proserpine” by Russian sculptors. Russian Empire in this building embodied in its best features. In addition to the exterior, Voronikhin designs the interior of the institute, attaching great importance to the details. The majestic building with Doric columns harmoniously completed the composition of the Vasileostrovskaya embankment and gave the view from the Winter Palace the desired scale. The design of an extended portico is one of the most unusual architectural solutions of its time.
Petersburg addresses of Voronikhin
In parallel with the work on the Kazan Cathedral, the architect Voronikhin is conducting several projects in Pavlovsk, where he is building the famous Pink Pavilion, erecting several bridges and buildings for various purposes. Voronikhin is the author of the Italian pavilion, several cascades and colonnades in Peterhof. He also fulfills private orders, in particular, oversees the reconstruction of the house of the Minister of Deputies on Palace Embankment, works on the houses of the Stroganov family, and builds a house church in the Golitsyn mansion. The master took part in the creation of the mint in the Peter and Paul Fortress, designed the fountain on Pulkova Gora.
Palaces
In 1803, the architect Voronikhin was involved in the reconstruction of the central building of the palace in Pavlovsk. Maria Fedorovna trusted the architect, he finished her chambers in the Winter Palace, so she relied on his taste and made him the chief architect of Pavlovsk. Voronikhin completely re-plans buildings, creates ornaments for painting ceilings. Almost simultaneously, the architect is working on a remake of the Sheremetev Palace on the Fontanka. They wanted to create interiors in a fashionable classic style, and Voronikhin helped them in this. He created spacious meeting rooms for a large number of people.
Another significant work of the architect is the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna. The building has dilapidated since the time of Peter the Great, and the owner gave the order to preserve the appearance, but to modernize the interiors. Voronikhin completely re-planned the interior decoration, designed Empire-style interiors and supervised the implementation of the project. However, the fire of 1803 almost completely destroyed the finish, and the next reconstruction was entrusted to another architect.
Private life
Andrei Voronikhin (1759-1814) lived an interesting life, with a huge workload at work, he realized in family life. As early as 1801, the architect married the daughter of the English pastor Mary Lond, or Maria Fedorovna in the Russian manner. She was first a governess in the Stroganovs' house, and then a draftswoman, and worked for 10 years with the master. The bride refused to change religion, and Voronikhin had to collect a lot of papers to get married. After the wedding, the young settled in their own house. The couple had six sons, but almost all did not live long, to date there are no direct descendants of Voronikhin. The architect worked a lot and hard, in his free time he loved to paint, read a lot.
The completion of the path and memory
The architect died on February 21, 1814. He was buried at the most prestigious cemetery in St. Petersburg, in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. On his monument, the descendants depicted the silhouette of the Kazan Cathedral - the main building of the architect.
Only a few buildings of Voronikhin survived to this day. But two of his main masterpieces still adorn St. Petersburg. Also preserved are some of its interiors and many projects that give an idea of the power of his talent. Voronikhin's paintings are kept in the Hermitage and the Russian Museum, as well as in the collection of the Academy of Arts.
Pupils Voronikhin
Russian Empire found in the work of Voronikhin the most complete embodiment. His students continued the work of the teacher, some in the literal sense. So, instead of a mentor, Andrei Mikhailov observed the construction of the Kazan Cathedral. In his authorial constructions Mikhailov follows the traditions of Voronikhin. Its most successful construction is St. Catherine’s Church on Vasilievsky Island. The simplicity and elegance of the design are sustained in the style of Voronikhin. Another student, Denis Filippov, remained in the history of architecture as the author of the House of the Academy of Sciences on Vasilievsky Island, which also has typical features of Voronikhinsky Empire. The third significant follower and student of the architect - Peter Plavov - is known as the creator of the Obukhov hospital on Zagorodny Prospekt and the stairs of the Board of Trustees. These projects are also designed in the classical style propagated by Voronikhin.