Statue of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky

      This was Moscow's first sculptural monument. It embodies the patriotic and civic ideals of the period when Moscow was being rebuilt after the fire of 1812 and paying homage to those who had vanquished the "invincible" Napoleon. The monument's main theme is the meeting of the citizen of Nizhny Novgorod, Kuzma Minin, and the commander Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, the two leaders of the Russian people's struggle against foreign invaders in 1612. The Russian patriots are portrayed as antique heroes, which was typical of classical art. However, in these antique figures one can also detect Russian, national features. Minin's shirt and trousers, for example, make him look like a Russian peasant, which emphasizes even more the monument's main theme, the patriotism of the Russian people.
      The composition of the monument is dynamic and well-balanced. On the granite pedestal are two bas-reliefs. One shows a collection being made to set up a people's army: men are bringing money and goods, women are donating their jewellery. The other shows the enemy being driven out of Russia. On the first bas-relief, the figure on the far left (the only man without a beard, who is handing over his two sons to the people's army) is a self-portrait of the sculptor. This scene is to a certain extent autobiographical. One of Martos's sons, Alexei, fought in the Patriotic War of 1812, while the other, Nikita, was in France when the war began. He was arrested and died.
      The monument was set up on funds collected by public subscription. Many Russian sculptors submitted designs, and the one by Ivan Martos was judged the best.
      The official unveiling of the monument took place on 20 February, 1818. It originally stood in front of the Upper Trading Rows (now GUM). In 1930 in connection with the reconstruction of Red Square it was moved over to the Intercession Cathedral.