Yuri R. Savelyev

In the development of Russian art, the period of classicism (mid 18th — mid 19th century) preceded the era of Historicism of the 19th – early 20th century, and the period of neoclassicism (the first half of the 20th century) completed its history. The main source of the development of the historicism style was Russian history, and during the periods of its origin and completion, the images of M.V. Lomonosov were captured in bronze by outstanding sculptors I.P. Martos in 1826–1829. (in Arkhangelsk) and N.V. Tomsky in 1953 (in front of the Moscow University building on Vorobyovy Gory).

In the period of Neoclassicism or the «new Russian classicism» of the 1930s and 1950s, Moscow University became one of the main centers for the study of the art of the first Russian classicism. Professor N.N. Kovalenskaya (1892‒1969), the best expert on the history of this style, creates the most complete monograph to date on the life of I.P. Martos, the author of the first sculptural monument to M.V. Lomonosov in Russia. She considered the work of this sculptor to be the pinnacle of the development of Russian monumental sculpture. Moscow State University archive introduces Professor N.N. Kovalenskaya's personal materials into scientific use for the first time.

The development of the art of classicism and neoclassicism, the study of the history of both these periods was closely connected with the history of Lomonosov Moscow State University, as well as with the study of the work of sculptor I.P. Martos, the author of the first sculptural monument to the founder of the university.