Peter the Great and Alexander Menshikov

“Svyatogor” Hard stone carving studio
2012

The reign of Peter the Great was a turning point in the history of the country: Russia’s connections with Western Europe became closer; economy, industry, and culture received astrong boost. The unlimited power of the monarch — absolutism — strengthened as well.

Peter the Great, 1672 – 1725. The Tsar of Russia since 1682 and Emperor of All the Russias since 1721. Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, 1673 – 1729. His Highness Prince since 1705, Generalissimus since 1727.

History

Since he was a child, Peter Alekseevich was fascinated with military games and manoeuvres, the European military and technical culture and science. The “toy army” was the precursor of the regular army in Russia that he was to establish when he grew up. He built the Russian fleet, and in 1696 he seized the fortress of Azov from the Turks. During his trips to Western Europe, the Tsar learned about many European achievements, which he sought to adopt in Russia.

For more than 20 years, from 1700 to 1721, Peter the Great led the Northern War against the powerful Sweden where he proved himself a brilliant strategist and organiser. In 1703, he founded a new capital, St. Petersburg, on the lands seized from the Swedes. The monarch also introduced the collegial government, promoted industrial production, and made Church part of the State.

Prince Alexander Danilovich Menshikov was one of the closest associates of Peter the Great. He was of humble origin and, according to a legend, started his career with selling pies. The Tsar liked him; he became his servant and then his friend. Menshikov began service in “the toy regiments”, took part in the Azov campaigns and the Northern War. In the war against the Swedes, he showed himself as a strong and energetic commander. In the position of the Governor of St. Petersburg, he actively developed the new capital. However, Menshikov was greedy when it came to honours and wealth, and it was quickly found that he abused power. At first, Peter forgave his brother in arms, but in 1714 an investigation of his misdeeds began, and only the Emperor’s death saved the man who liked to put state funds in his pocket.

The Stone

The figures of Tsar Peter I and his associate Alexander Menshikov look similar as they have a common desire to win, which is embodied in the cannon placed in front of them, its wheels and mount carved from fossilised wood and dolerite, which rest on bags from Aushkul jasper. The spyglass in the Tsar’s hand and the burning torch suggest that the masters chose the period of greatest agreement between the two characters for telling their story.

The Tsar’s towering figure is dressed in the spectacular uniform of the Preobrazhensky Regiment: ared vest from jasper with a caftan over it, the latter made of jade of a rich green hue, with the red cuffs and collar of jasper. The “galloon” of tiger’s eye, which frames all accessories, makes the costume look especially vivid.

Menshikov, who is more square-built, wears a less elegant caftan from brownish cacholong with dark red lining of jasper and a vest of dark jasper with a bluish tinge. The pedestal is a landscape consisting of many elements: jasper “boulders” are framed with withered autumn grass, its strands cut out from aventurine.

Just Juel Notes of the Danish Envoy in Russia during the Reign of Peter the Great

The Tsar, as the Chief Shipmaster (the post for which he gets paid) gave all commands, participated along with others in the works, and, where needed, chopped wood with his axe, which he can use better than all other carpenters present there. The officers and others present in the shipyard were constantly drinking and screaming. There was no lack of Boyars made to act as jesters, on the opposite, they gathered there in large numbers. It should be noted that, after giving all the necessary orders to lift the stem post, the Tsar took off his hat in front of the General-Admiral standing right there, asked him whether it was time to begin, and only upon receiving an affirmative response, put it on again and then started his work. The Tsar shows such reverence and obedience not only to the Admiral but to all senior officers because he is so far only a Schout-bij-nacht. It may perhaps seem ridiculous, but in my opinion, there is a healthy basis underlying such course of action — the Tsar wants to show other Russians with his own example how they must be respectful and obedient to their superiors at work and in service. Having left the shipyard, the Tsar went to visit one of his ship carpenters.

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I can’t but say a few words about the rise and luck of Menshikov. He was born in Moscow to very insignificant parents. As a 16-year-old adolescent, he, like many other common people from Moscow, walked the streets, selling the so-called pirogi (pies). This is a special kind of pies from flour, baked on pork fat and filled with fish, onions, etc.; they sell them a kopeck or a denezhka (half a kopeck) a piece. The Tsar got acquainted with this guy by chance, and he took him as his servant, or valet, and then, appreciating his special devotion, fervour and agility, he gradually promoted him to the highest posts in the army, until now he has made him a field marshal. In addition, the Tsar granted him first the title of Baron, and later of Count, and finally made him the Prince of Ingria. Following this, the Roman Empire granted him the title of an Imperial Prince, no doubt in order to have the good will of the statesman who enjoys such great respect from the Tsar. In fact, Menshikov is the most arrogant person one can imagine; he keeps a big court, has innumerable wealth and large estates stretching across vast territories, not counting the Principality of Ingria; he despises each and every person and enjoys the greatest respect from his sovereign. His intellect is very mediocre, and anyway not fit for the many important posts that he is entrusted with.