Christian martyr, "Not of this world"

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Mark Antokolski's early career focused on genre scenes, but he later shifted his attention to historical and religious themes, evident in his works Christ Before the People (1874) and Christian Martyr (1884). He also sculpted portraits and monuments, showcasing his versatility as an artist. The sculpture Ivan the Terrible marked the beginning of a series inspired by Russian history, earning him widespread recognition. When Tsar Alexander II visited Antokolsky's studio, he purchased one of his sculptures to be displayed at the Hermitage. In 1872, Antokolsky sent Peter the Great to Petersburg after selling it to Alexander II himself. A wave of anti-Semitic violence swept through Russia following 1881, leading to Antokolsky facing contempt from some quarters. Press articles suggested that as a Jew, he had no right to create art centered on Russian history and Christian themes, implying that his success was due to Jewish financiers. However, writer Ivan Turgenev and art critic Vladimir Stasov came to his defense. Feeling disillusioned, Antokolsky moved to Paris in 1893 and never returned to Russia. In France, he produced notable works such as Spinoza (1881), Mephistopheles (1884), Yaroslav the Wise (1889), Nestor – the Chronicler, and Yermak Timofeyevitch (1891). Antokolsky's creations at the International Expo in Paris earned him the highest honor – the National Order of the Legion of Honour.