Zemtsov Mikhail Grigorievich, Russian architect: famous works

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

For the construction of the new capital of the Russian state, the city of St. Petersburg, its founder Peter the Great invites the best architects of Europe. One of the first masters who led the construction of the new city was the Italian Domenico Trezzini. Among his students was the future outstanding Russian architect Zemtsov Mikhail Grigorievich. The hardworking and talented artist was awarded the title of the first Russian architect of St. Petersburg.

Childhood

Unfortunately, historians know very little about the early years of Mikhail Grigorievich's life. Even the exact year of birth of the master is indicated in different ways. Some scientists name 1686, while others believe that the great architect was born in 1688. What was the origin and how Zemtsov Mikhail Grigorievich spent his childhood is still a mystery. It is known that he was born in Moscow and was educated at the Armory, but no one knows how he ended up in the new capital. Perhaps he came to St. Petersburg during the resettlement of people from Moscow.

Youth

The first mention of Zemtsov appears only in1709. At this time, the young man was educated at the St. Petersburg Provincial Chancellery. He is taking an Italian course. Upon graduation, by decree of Peter, he was sent to work in the Office of City Affairs, which was established in 1706. The office's job was to supervise the construction of new buildings in the city and the modernization of the fortress, where it was necessary to replace the earthen fortifications with stone ones. The main leader of these projects was lieutenant colonel and architect D. Trezzini, it was to him that Zemtsov was sent for training.

Becoming a Master

The construction of the city proceeded rapidly. But there were not enough educated specialists, and Trezzini tried to educate young people who came to work for him as quickly as possible. Paying attention to a capable and hard-working young man, Trezzini makes him his assistant. The training of Mikhail Grigorievich Zemtsov took place directly at the workplace. Easy assignments were gradually replaced by more complex ones, and finally talent, combined with diligence, allowed the future architect to quickly become a master of his craft.

Career start

In 1718, Peter issued a decree on the construction of stone houses in Moscow. In Kitai-Gorod and the Moscow Kremlin, it was decided to build buildings only from stone, creating streets, and not building houses in courtyards, as was done before.

The best student of Domenico Trezzini, the Russian architect Zemtsov, was appointed the head of new construction works in Moscow. For about a year, Mikhail Grigorievich has been working in Moscow, but inIn 1720 he had to return to Petersburg.

At this time, three prominent architects J. B. A. Leblon, G. Mattarnovi and G. I. Ustinov passed away. All important buildings in Strelna and Peterhof were transferred under the direction of N. Michetti. But the architect came to Russia only a year ago. He speaks Russian poorly and hardly understands Russian speech. Mikhail Zemtsov, like no one else, fits the role of Michetti's assistant and translator.

After working under Michetti for about three years, Mikhail Grigorievich receives a very flattering description from the master and he is sent to the construction work of 1721 in Revel. Arriving in St. Petersburg in 1722, Zemtsov received instructions from the general architect Michetti related to the improvement of fountains and gardens in Reval. Zemtsov was not returning to his place of work alone; Mikhail Ogibalov was sent with him as an assistant, whom Mikhail Grigorievich was supposed to teach architecture in Revel. This was the first student of the great architect.

The heyday of the architect's creativity

Catherine's Palace in Reval was originally built according to Michetti's design, but Zemtsov had to complete the teacher's work, bringing his own changes to the construction of the palace. Therefore, the building has a very diverse appearance of facades and interiors. And when creating the park in front of the palace, the famous Russian master of landscape gardening I. Surmin collaborated with Zemtsov. Subsequently, they worked together a lot when landscaping gardens and parks in Peterhof and the Summer Garden.

Work in Revel clearly showed talentyoung architect and proved that it is possible to become a good architect by studying in Russia. Nevertheless, in 1723, by decree of Peter, Mikhail Grigorievich Zemtsov went to Stockholm. In Sweden, he had to hire local craftsmen, whose knowledge was to help with the further construction of the city. And also there was a goal - to find out what mixture Swedish builders use to coat buildings. Zemtsov did an excellent job with all the instructions and brought eight experienced craftsmen of various speci alties to St. Petersburg.

Revel and Stockholm had a great influence on Zemtsov's work. He got acquainted with the architecture of the Gothic style and the early Baroque, gaining new knowledge that other Russian masters did not have.

At this time, Michetti decides to leave Russia, while he leaves a lot of unfinished projects that are handed over to Mikhail Grigorievich, thus showing that he is on a par with the best masters of Europe.

The most famous works of M. G. Zemtsov

After Michetti's departure from St. Petersburg, Zemtsov becomes the main manager of all construction work that takes place in St. Petersburg and its environs. But despite this, his rank and salary remained the same. Although there was a lot of work, the city grew and developed. Zemtsov was forced to deal with several urban and suburban facilities at once. Among his works of that time, one can note the improvement of the Summer Garden, the Engineering Castle, Peterhof, the Field of Mars and the Mikhailovsky Palace. In addition to construction and gardening works,Mikhail Grigorievich was engaged in pedagogical activities and taught young architects. But Zemtsov himself was given the official title of architect only in 1724.

Architect Zemtsov made an invaluable contribution to the development of St. Petersburg and its suburbs.

Famous works by architect Zemtsov:

• Church of Simeon and Anna. Located in St. Petersburg, built in 1734, is a functioning Orthodox church.
• Cascade "Golden Mountain" in Peterhof.
• House for the boat of Peter the Great in the Peter and Paul Fortress.
• Anichkov Palace.
• Savior Transfiguration Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Unfortunately, the architect did not live to see the end of the construction of the last of the listed objects, he died on September 28, 1743. But the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior itself was not preserved, since after a fire in 1825 it was completely rebuilt under the guidance of the architect V. P. Stasov.