10 facts about sculptor Sergey Timofeyevich Konenkov

He was called "the Russian Rodin". But the master replied: "I am not Rodin, I am Konenkov."\r\n\r\nHe was almost expelled from the Imperial Academy of Arts. Konenkov's diploma work "Samson Breaking the Bonds" was so expressive that it caused a scandal. Only thanks to the intercession of Ilya Repin and Arkhip Kuindzhi did Konenkov receive the title of a free artist, but the sculpture was destroyed.\r\n\r\nHe constantly bought stumps. The master's favorite material was wood. He expertly carved sculptural busts, folkloric fairy-tale characters, and whimsical furniture from it. \r\n\r\nHe designed a mechanical monument to Lenin. According to the sculptor's idea, a huge figure of Lenin could be installed on Sparrow Hills and would rotate on its axis following the sun. \r\n\r\nHe was friends with Yesenin, Chaliapin and Klyuev. In general he was a provocative figure and led a bohemian lifestyle. \r\n\r\nHe lived in America for twenty years without knowing English. The sculptor lived and worked in the USA for 22 years. The master's wife — Margarita Konenkova — found patrons among the American elite. Konenkov himself never learned English during his years of emigration. \r\n\r\nHis wife was a spy for the USSR. From 1935 she provided information about the US nuclear project, and later made contact with Albert Einstein. Konenkov knew about everything but reacted with incredible calm.\r\n\r\nOne of Stalin's favorite sculptors. In 1945, after the end of World War II, Konenkov and his wife returned to Russia. In Moscow the master was allotted a huge apartment-studio on Tverskoy Boulevard. And his sculptures, by Stalin's personal order, were transported across the ocean on the steamship 'Smolny'.\r\n\r\nArtist or prophet? Konenkov was interested in occultism, theosophy and cosmism, practiced prophecy and even tried to decipher the 'Apocalypse' — the most mysterious book of the New Testament. \r\n\r\nHe lived almost an entire century. The master died at the age of 97. A book of Konenkov's memoirs and recollections was published posthumously.\r\n

Memorial Museum "Creative Workshop of S. T. Konenkov"

The building that houses the Memorial Museum "S. T. Konenkov Creative Workshop" is a historical and cultural monument. It was built in 1939-1941 to a design by architect A. G. Mordvinov. S. T. Konenko ...

g. Moskva, ul. Tverskaya, d. 17