Death mask of V.I. Lenin.
Merkurov S.D.
USSR. 21 – 22.01.1924.
Plaster
24х47 cm; Diameter – 41cm

The mask is mostly well preserved. It has not been restored.

Merkurov S.D.
Cast of the right hand of V.I. Lenin.
USSR. 1924.
Plaster
8×23 cm; Diameter – 17 cm

Merkurov S.D.
Cast of the left hand of V.I. Lenin.
USSR. 1924.
Plaster
10×28.5 cm; Diameter – 20 cm

V.I. Lenin died on January 21, 1924. Group of artists, including sculptors I.D. Shadr, M. Manizer, S. Merkurov and artist I. Brodsky spent long hours at the coffin of Lenin. Sculptor S.D. Merkurov made the death mask of the deceased V. I. Lenin. Even before the official permission for replication, 14 copies of the mask and hands of Lenin were made for his relatives and associates. Each copy of the series has a number of the author’s cast. After the official permission on April 4, 1924, the replication of the mask was put on stream, which inevitably led to the loss of documentary authenticity.
Lenin’s death masks were replicated and regularly appeared at various auctions, where they were presented as genuine. The originals of the death masks of Lenin and Stalin are kept only in the State Historical Museum.