The sculptural group
“Worker and Kolkhoz Woman”
The sculptural group Worker and Kolkhoz Woman, created by the brilliant Vera Mukhina in collaboration with architect Boris Iofan, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Moscow and an outstanding work of Soviet art. This dynamic monument, embodying the strength and unity of working people, was created for the World Exhibition in Paris in 1937, where it made an indelible impression on contemporaries. The concept of the monument arose as the embodiment of the idea of the Soviet state, where workers and peasants (collective farmers), hand in hand, would build a new, just society. Vera Mukhina, inspired by ancient sculptures such as the Nike of Samothrace, sought to convey in her work movement, energy, and an aspiration to surge forward. The figures of a worker with a hammer and a collective farm woman with a sickle, soaring upward, symbolize the power and indomitability of the Soviet people and their steady progress toward a bright future. The creation of such a large-scale and complex work was a true challenge for its time. The monument was made of stainless steel and consisted of 65 individual parts, each precisely fitted. Advanced welding and metalworking technologies were used for this purpose. Vera Mukhina personally supervised the manufacturing process, paying attention to every detail. The complexity of the design required special precision and skill from the workers. At the World Exhibition in Paris in 1937, the USSR pavilion with the Worker and Kolkhoz Woman monument became one of the main centres of attraction. The sculpture, rising on a 24-metre tower, amazed visitors with its monumentality, dynamism, and expressiveness. It received the Grand Prix of the exhibition and was recognized as a masterpiece of sculptural art. The monument symbolized the achievements and successes of the Soviet Union, its power and progress. After the exhibition, it was decided to return the monument to Moscow. A new location was chosen for it, opposite the northern entrance to VDNKh (the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, now the All-Russian Exhibition Centre). Here the sculpture was installed on a pedestal, which is also a work of architectural art. Worker and Kolkhoz Woman became an integral part of the Moscow landscape and one of the symbols of the capital. Worker and Kolkhoz Woman is not just a monument; it is a symbol of an entire era, a reflection of the ideals and aspirations of its time. It embodies faith in progress, the power of collective labour, and the inviolability of the unity of the people. Despite the change of historical eras, the monument continues to evoke admiration for its artistic expressiveness, technical perfection, and deep symbolic meaning. Today, after a large-scale restoration, it once again delights Muscovites and visitors to the capital with its majestic appearance. Worker and Kolkhoz Woman remains an important cultural heritage site and a reminder of the power of the human spirit and the grandeur of art. The monument has also become a cinematic icon, as its image was chosen as the opening credit sequence for the Mosfilm studio, which once again confirms its status as a symbol of national culture.
Address: Moscow, Mira ave.,123B
