Barge Haulers on the Volga Sculpture (Samara)

The sculpture "Barge Haulers on the Volga" stands in Samara, on the embankment of the Volga River. The bronze composition, based on Ilya Repin's famous painting, was unveiled in 2014 to mark the 170th anniversary of the artist's birth. The author of the sculpture is Samara artist Nikolai Kuklev.

Sculpture Description

The composition takes the shape of an easel, at the actual size of Repin's original painting. What makes it unique is its backdrop: the bronze figures stand against the real Volga River and the natural landscape. Technical details:

• Material: bronze
• Pedestal height: 1 metre
• Sculpture height: 1.5 metres
• Weight: 500 kilograms

Location of the Monument

The sculpture stands on the Volga River embankment in Samara. It is one of the popular spots for walks and photographs along the Samara waterfront. The monument fits naturally into its surroundings: behind the bronze barge haulers opens a view of the river, exactly what the author intended.

Repin's Painting "Barge Haulers on the Volga": History

The painting was created by Ilya Repin in 1870-1873. The idea came to him during a boat trip on the Neva River, where he saw a group of barge haulers at work. To study the subject, Repin travelled to the Volga, including the village of Shiryaevo near Samara.

The finished painting was shown at the Academic Exhibition in St Petersburg in 1873 and won first prize. It was bought by Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich. Today the original is held at the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg.

The Samara sculpture pays tribute to this connection: it was on the banks of the Volga that Repin made the studies for his major work.