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mytholog
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(1/4/04 11:41 pm)
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Odin and Hermes

greek-gods.tripod.com/menu.htm

A. Fantalov.

The faces of German-Scandinavian gods on fronts of Saint Petersburg
and Moscow houses.

(It was printed in "The Culture of Saint Petersburg region in science
and education". SPb. university by Herzen, 2000)



Architecture of the end of 19 - the beginning of 20 centuries attracts
scholars' s attentions now. However sculpture decoration was not
investigated. It is pity, because many representation of this epoch
dedicated to interesting mythological subjects. As main field of my
preferences is the mythology, I have decided to find the principal
mythological representation on facades of Saint Petersburg and Moscow.

Classicism with its canon of Antique mythology had influence on
architecture of Saint Petersburg at 18 - first half of 19 centuries.
Moreover, forms that have got not Greek or Roman origins were
prohibited as decorations of Russian houses till 1830-s. Therefore
images of Antique mythology occupy such significant place on the
Moscow and Petersburg facades. They personify harmonic, 'Apollonic'
side. It is not surprisely, that there numerous decorative
representations of griphon (sacral Apollo's animal) and mask of Medusa
Gorgon (inspite of this personage terrible reputation, her head as
ehida belonged to Athena Pallada (goddess of mind).

But people have got tired for cold classicism. Besides that Russian
society change. Businessmen began to get important play for country.
In architecture this process was impressed with new Eclectic and
Modern stiles. As for decoration of facades, Apollo gave his place up
Hermes. The complicated character of Hermes (psichopomp and mediator),
that is embodiment of transformation of conditions, was liked new
owner rich houses. They simply understand Hermes as the symbol of
trade. Therefore this god began to occupy Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Since gold age Antiquity Hermes's image was formed: slim youth,
without beard, with short hear. He has got a plane winged helmet and
baton-caduceus with two snakes.

There are numerous representations of Hermes face on the fronts of
houses (sometimes also his head). For example: Beside we can see even
impressible statue of this Greek god.

But as he is embodiment of transformation (at the Middle Ages
alchemist considered Hermes/Mercury in connection of chemical mercury)
image the Greek god has mutilated. The helmet and the wings grow up.
Hermes character diverges into two types. The first type is a bearded
man with long moustache; the second one is a young woman with locks.

It can be said, that to attribute these representations very
difficult. Author of this article do this work by means of analyze
mythology, features of the considered epoch, preferences of architects
or customers.

Since second half of 19 century in Europe attention for non-classic
myths has been increasing. One of founders of 'new-mythologism' is
Richard Wagner. He has created opera tetralogy "The ring of Nibelung"
in terms of German-Scandinavian mythology. Thanks to Wagner European
society acquaint oneself with gods and heroes of North legend. The
most important character of ones was Odin/Woden, the super god, and
possessor of wisdom and mystery knowledge. According to myths he
gathers dead warrior and wanders between worlds. This North god has
got significant resemblance with Greek Hermes. Also the important
personage was valkiry, a warrior woman.

In Russia at the end of 19 - beginning of 20 ages creative work by
Wagner has got many supporters. There are a list of the houses what
contained on theirs facades images of Scandinavian gods. These houses
were built at the end 19 - at the beginning 20 centuries, when the
Wagner's operas were popular in Russia.

Saint Petersburg.

1. Angliyskaya nab. 30. 1872 (was built for Edward Mayer - General
consul of Bayern). The women's faces with winged helmets and men's
head with long beards.

2. Saltikova-Stchedrina ul. 4. 1901. Man's face with moustache and
winged helmet.

3. Kazanskaya pl. 2. There is big women head with helmet. The helmet
has got the bat' wings.

4. Gorohovaya ul. 47. 1912. This house is decorated with six masks.
The most interesting masks of them are three one (two bearded men's
faces of Nordic type with the wings and one women's face with the
winged helmets).

Moscow.

1. Chlebniy per. 18. 1901. Woman with bat wings and helmet like owl.

2. Pushkinskaya ul. 12. 1884. Man's face with moustache and winged
helmet.

3. Telegrafniy per. 9. Old man's face with winged helmet and beard.

In architectural decor of Saint Petersburg there are (or there were)
also some sculptures, that probably devoted North subjects. For
instance:

1. Nevskiy pr. 28. 1904. The facades are decorated six bronze
sculptures like decorations of ship. These are images of women. Three
of them have got the helmets, the swan wings and spears. Three others
possessed distaffs and the butterfly wings. I suppose that the ideas
of valkiries have influenced on them appearances.

2. Isaakievskaya pl. 11. 1904. House of German embassy. There were
sculptural groups on roof: two men with round shields keep two horses.
This group got a sad destiny. In 1914 the 1 Great War has begun. The
statues were threw down and lost.

The 1 Great War and Russian revolution has stopped development of
culture process. Fan only now we has begun to know ideas
new-romanticism and new-mythologism.

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