Zurab Tsereteli, Visionary Sculptor and Artist, Passes Away at 91

Zurab Tsereteli's legacy includes iconic works that sparked debate and admiration worldwide, marking him as a pivotal figure in contemporary art.

Georgian-Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli, renowned for his immense and often contentious sculptures, has died at the age of 91. The Tbilisi-born sculptor, painter, and architect gained notoriety for a variety of monumental projects in Moscow, including the towering 98-meter (321-foot) statue of Tsar Peter the Great, a figure who notably disliked the city itself.

Achieving prominence during the Soviet era, Tsereteli was instrumental in the design team for the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games and later created large-scale installations that adorned cities around the globe. His artistry often drew him close to the political elite in Russia; he once noted that Vladimir Putin's "healthy soul" inspired him to sculpt a bronze piece of the Russian president.

Tsereteli's influence extended through his friendship with Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, allowing him privileged access to travel abroad and meet celebrated figures like Pablo Picasso in Paris. In a post on social media, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova honored Tsereteli as "an artist of world renown" who transcended boundaries in promoting peace and creative expression. "He will live not only in our hearts, but also in his works," she remarked.

One of Tsereteli's most discussed creations, the Peter the Great monument, has been met with both adoration and disdain from Moscow's citizens. Standing taller than the Statue of Liberty, it sparked an ongoing debate about its place in the city's cultural landscape. Despite mixed reactions, his contributions to art were widely respected, as evidenced by his role as president of the Russian Academy of Arts.

Tsereteli's vast portfolio includes notable monuments worldwide, such as the tribute to Christopher Columbus in Seville, Spain, and the Chronicle of Georgia monument located in Tbilisi. He also conceptualized the Tear of Grief monument in New Jersey, commemorating the victims of the September 11 attacks—a gift from the Russian government to the United States.

Another controversial piece, "Good Defeats Evil," resides at the UN Headquarters in New York. It portrays St. George defeating a dragon, surrounded by remnants of US and Soviet missiles, symbolizing the defeat of nuclear conflict through historical treaties.

In 2006, Tsereteli stirred debate in France with his 8.75-meter (29-foot) bronze statue of Pope John Paul II, which faced backlash for potentially conflicting with France's secular principles. His crowning achievement, the 110-meter (360-foot) "Birth of the New World," celebrating Columbus's inaugural journey, was eventually erected in Puerto Rico after being turned down by multiple American cities.

In addition to his grand sculptures, Tsereteli was an accomplished painter, especially noted for his floral artwork, and played a significant role in reconstructing Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior. His smaller works also included depictions of major historical leaders from the Yalta Conference in 1945, cementing his reputation as a multifaceted artist who profoundly influenced the global artistic landscape.