Fasad Sculpture of Provincial Eclectics on the Example of Rostov-on-Don: Iconography, Symbols, Stylistics

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of eclectic facade sculpture in the historical center of Rostov-on-Don, considered in accordance with specific neo-styles. Sculpture plays an important compositional role in the design of the facades of Neo-Baroque monuments, emphasizing the rhythmic organization of facades, emphasizing the central and corner parts of buildings. Sculptural decor in the design of facades, designed within the neo-Greek and Neo-Renaissance, obeys the compositional rhythm set by architectural forms, is most often placed in architecturally limited fields, highlights the compositional axes of facades and more actively uses motifs of ancient origin. In general, the iconography of the sculptural decor includes plant motifs (laurel, flower, fruit garlands, flower baskets, acanthus, wreaths, rosettes), images of objects, including symbolic ones (shells, cartouches, caduceus, flowerpots, a cornucopia, a fountain, attributes of industry, trade, sciences and arts, armorial shields), zoomorphic images (mainly lion mascarons, griffins), mixanthropic and anthropomorphic images. Among the latest figurines are putti, mascarons of satyrs, Aphrodite, Hermes; belt herms of Hercules, Omphale, Deianira; sculptures of nymphs, Apollo, Ceres, goddesses of Glory; scenes from the history of Cupid and Psyche. The symbolism of the sculptural decor corresponds to the purpose of the building, expresses the ideas of prosperity and progress: Ceres, Apollo, the goddess of Glory — on the building of the City Duma; musical instruments and theatrical masks — on the theater building; plots symbolizing various types of activities — on the building of the Property Pledge Society; attributes of trade, industry, sciences, arts, mascarons of Hermes and his caduceus, cornucopia — on tenement houses; Hercules, Dejanira, Omphala, Aphrodite’s mascarons are on the mansions. There is a “universalization” of the mascarons of Hermes and his caduceus, which are used everywhere, regional motifs appear (bees, salting fish), the use of neo-style decor on the building, reproducing the type of kuren, is noted. Stylistically, the sculpture is focused mainly on classicism and the Renaissance, using the techniques of mannerism, baroque, rococo. The prototypes are the motifs of the sculptural decoration of famous buildings in St Petersburg, Vienna, Berlin, Brussels, chronologically close to the monuments under consideration.