Mikhail Konstantinovich Clodt
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Mikhail Konstantinovich Clodt baron von Jürgensburg (Russian: Михаил Константинович Клодт; 1832-1902; both Saint Petersburg) was a Russian realistic painter.[1][2][3]
Mikhail Clodt was born to the artistic family of barons Clodt von Jürgensburg, his father Konstantin Clodt was the first Russian wood engraver,[4] his uncle Peter Clodt von Jürgensburg was a famous Russian sculptor.[1]
He learnt drawing at the Saint Petersburg Mining Cadet Corps, then at the Imperial Academy of Arts (1851-1858).[3] After receiving a Large Galod Medal he received scholarship for three years to study painting in France, Switzerland and Italy but abandoned his foreign trip in a year. He complained that the foreign landscapes would not inspire him and that French and Italian school of painting is inferior to Russian one.[2] After returning Clodt got permissions to use the rest of the scholarship funds in his travel over Russia.[2]
In 1863 Clodt go+t recognition for his painting Highway in Autumn. Even higher praise was given for his work In the field (1872) and the Forest view in the Midday (1878).[2] Observers celebrated his devotion to Russian landscape, attention to the details, stereoscopy of his works.[2] On the other hand popular art critic Vladimir Stasov noted petty naturalism and the "slavish following to reality" in many Klodt works. As an example of such a work he stated Cows at Watering (1879).[2] In both his devotion to the Russian landscape and some petty naturalism Clodt was probably the forerunner of Ivan Shishkin.[2]
Mikhail Clodt was a founding member of Peredvizhniki movement, but Peredvizhniki did not completely considered him as their own. That was partially due to the sharp criticisms from Clodt and partially because of him keeping his professorship of the Imperial Academy of Arts (1871-1886). After Clodt's particular sharp criticism over Arkhip Kuindzhi Clodt was forced to break with Peredvizhniki. Soon he retired from the Academy as well.[2]
Clodt did not painted anything of value since 1870ies. Half-blind and financially broken he died in 1902.[2]
[edit] Works
 A Highway in Autumn, 1863 |
 In the fields, 1872 |
 Forrest view in a midday, 1878 |
|
 Cows as Watering, 1879 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Clodt family (Russian)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mikail Clodt in Staratel library (Russian)
- ^ a b Biography and works (Russian)
- ^ Klodt family (Russian)
