Georgian-Russian sculptor and painter Zurab Tsereteli, renowned for his extraordinary and at times contentious monuments, has succumbed at the age of 91. His birth in Tbilisi marked the beginning of a life dedicated to the art world, one that saw Tsereteli rise to prominence with monumental pieces, including a significant 98-meter (321-foot) statue dedicated to Tsar Peter the Great—a ruler known for his disdain towards Moscow.
Emerging as a prominent figure during the Soviet regime, Tsereteli took charge of the design team for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games and went on to create vast installations across the globe. He was notably close to the political elite, with the artist once famously stating that Vladimir Putin’s “healthy soul” inspired his bronze portrayal of the Russian president.
Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, was among Tsereteli's close associates, enabling him opportunities to travel abroad where he notably encountered Pablo Picasso in Paris. In the wake of Tsereteli’s passing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described him as a "world-renowned artist," commending his tireless dedication to fostering creative expression and promoting peace.
Tsereteli's Peter the Great monument stands as a polarizing symbol in central Moscow, where public opinion has often been divided. In 2010, several citizens voiced their disdain for the towering sculpture, which surpasses the Statue of Liberty in height. Regardless of mixed receptions, Tsereteli yielded profound respect within the artistic community and held the esteemed title of president of the Russian Academy of Arts.
This larger-than-life creator's works grace cities worldwide, including a tribute to Christopher Columbus in Seville, Spain, and the Chronicle of Georgia monument in Tbilisi. Notable among his creations is the ten-story "Tear of Grief" monument, dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 attacks in New Jersey, presented to the U.S. government by Russia.
His contributions to art extend beyond mere sculpture. Tsereteli's "Good Defeats Evil" piece can be found at the United Nations Headquarters, serving as a visual reminder of the historic nuclear arms treaty between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Tsereteli's work sparked criticism as well, evidenced by an incident in a French town where his massive statue of Pope John Paul II faced opposition due to secularism laws. The sculptor's most monumental works include "Birth of the New World," reaching 110 meters tall, eventually erected in Puerto Rico after multiple rejections from various U.S. cities.
Outside of sculpture, Tsereteli was an accomplished painter, particularly recognized for his floral works, and he played a pivotal role in the reconstruction of Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. His smaller pieces included tributes to significant figures like Princess Diana and Putin, as well as a group statue commemorating leaders from the historic Yalta Conference.
