Moscow, February 17, 2021
Photo: rah.ru
Vladimir Mokrousov, a People’s Artist of the Russian Federation and one of the initiators of the restoration of Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, reposed in the Lord yesterday at the age of 85.
“Russian culture suffered a heavy loss on February 16, 2021, as Vladimir Petrovich Mokrousov (1936-2021), the outstanding sculptor, master of a bright creative personality, reviver of the Christian culture of Russia, member-correspondent of the Russian Academy of Arts, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, and winner of many All-Union and All-Russian competitions in monumental art, died,” writes the press service of the Russian Academy of Arts.
Mokrousov was one of the first to address the historical and religious theme in Russian art, and together with the writer V. A. Soloukhin, he initiated the restoration of Christ the Savior Cathedral, “which was a landmark spiritual event of our era.” His work on the sculptural decoration of the cathedral “has put [him] among the leading masters of church art of our time,” the Academy writes.
Some of Mokrousov's work at Christ the Savior Cathedral. Photo: rah.ru
Christ the Savior Cathedral was originally built over a 40-year period in the 19th century. It was destroyed by order of Joseph Stalin in 1931. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the cathedral was rebuilt from 1995 to 2000.
He was an active participant in the historical process of the revival of Russian Orthodox Church art, and his work influenced the formation of Russian society’s Christian worldview. His sculptures adorn churches throughout Russia.
He also revived the tradition of installing outdoor memorial crosses, and is also renowned for his historical portraits and educational activity.
“A whole creative person, a sculptor of great talent, an active, bright, beautiful, kind person—this is how the pure image of Vladimir Petrovich Mokrousov will remain in our memory. The Russian Academy of Arts expresses its deep condolences to the artist's family and friends,” writes the Academy of Arts.
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