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Alexander Mikhailovich Opekushin (Russian: Александр Михайлович Опекушин; 16 November 1838, Svechkino,Danilovsky Uyezd - 4 March 1923, Rybnitsa, Danilovsky Uyezd) was a Russian sculptor, known primarily for his monumental works.
He was born on the estates of E. V. Olkhin, a major landowner. His father, aserf who made regular visits toSaint Petersburg, obtained permission from Olkhin for Alexander to attend drawing classes at theImperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. He was able to graduate in two years, instead of the usual three, and was taken into the studios of the sculptor,David Jensen. In order to complete his studies at theImperial Academy of Arts, he had to purchase his freedom for 500Rubles. He was legally freed in 1859. Two years later, he married Evdokia Ivanovna Guskina, the daughter of astate serf.
At the Academy, he continued his studies with Jensen. In 1862, he received his first award: a small silver medal for abas-relief on a Biblical theme. His talent was noticed by the artist,Mikhail Mikeshin, who invited him to participate in completing his monument, the "Millennium of Russia".[1] The Academy awarded him the title of "Artist First-Class" in 1870, and he was promoted to "Academician" in 1872.
In 1888, he entered a competition to design a monument honoring the former Governor-General of Siberia,Nikolay Muravyov-Amursky, and his entry was selected. When it was cast in bronze and erected inKhabarovsk in 1891, it was the tallest monument in Russia (16 meters/52.5 feet, including the pedestal). The statue was removed by the revolutionary government in 1925 and replaced by one ofLenin. Another monument, to the industrialist,Ivan Kharitonenko [ru], inSumy (1895), was destroyed during the same period. Between 1873 and 1913, he created several monuments toAlexander Pushkin, which still survive, as do ones to TsarAlexander II inCzęstochowa andRybinsk.
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Despite his large public works, and commissions from theRomanovs (he was a staunchmonarchist), it was difficult for him to support his large family, so he also did decorative work. In addition to the interiors of mansions, his sculptures also adorn the façades of theShelaputin Theatre [ru], theMoscow Exchange [ru], and theCentral Bank Building [ru].[2]
In 1919, sick and impoverished, he and his youngest daughters were sent to live with a cousin inYaroslavl Oblast, at state expense. Once there, a local priest in Rybnitsa provided him with a free house. The promised government pension was not paid until 1922, so his neighbors provided the necessary support.[citation needed] In early 1923, he caught a cold, which turned intopneumonia, and he died. He was buried in a local cemetery, not far from where he was baptized. It was only in 1972 that a modest tombstone was erected. In 1986, the newly discoveredAsteroid 5055 was named after him.
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