Образы античности в творчестве Ф. Г. Гордеева

Abstract

This article deals with some features of the creative way of the outstanding Russian sculptor of the18th century, Fedor Gordeev. The issue of the antique heritage in F. G. Gordeev’s as well as his contemporaries’ works originates and is solved at different levels. Reference to classical antiquity appeared in the direct use of classical subjects, in studying works of art, copying, the use of compositional techniques, in making creative pieces of work on different subjects including those from the Russian history. Works of classical art take a special place in Gordeev’s legacy. Contemplating the artist’s works, one can notice that it is predominated by classical motifs, the techniques of friso-based design of reliefs — processions — are widely used, the principles of classical proportioning and planned configuration are followed. A deeper, intermediated perception of classical antiquity appeared in Gordeev’s memorial plastic works. The Golitsyns family’s gravestones allow to trace the evolution of his creative method which reflects the general evolution of the style. The classical antiquity for Gordeev always remained the canon of beauty that he knew better than any of his contemporaries owing to many years’ of teaching experience at the Academy, continuous work in the workshop casting classical statues, and probably mainly due to the peculiarities of his creative talent fully expressing the features and stages of the evolution of the style of that era.