Klodt von Jurgensburg Mikhail Petrovich

September 17, 1835 (St. Petersburg) - January 7, 1914 (St. Petersburg)

painter, graphic artist, set designer.

came from a family of hereditary artists: son of a famous sculptor PK Klodt, cousin of the painter M. Klodt, nephew of the engraver, KK Klodt. Initial education received at home. In 1847-1850 studied at the School of the Reformed Church in St. Petersburg. Same time in 1848 took private drawing lessons from the schedule AA Agin. In 1852 joined the IAH in St. Petersburg, he studied in the class of historical painting in Markov. During the period of training received all existing academic awards: in 1855 was awarded a small silver medal for the painting "The fishermen-Finns", in 1857 - a large silver medal for the painting "The Finnish peasant life. In 1857, interrupted studies at the Academy and at his own expense traveled to Paris, where he honed skills under the guidance of Glez and T. Couturier. Together with MK Klodt, L. Lagorio and AP Bogolyubov worked in Brittany and Normandy.

In 1860 he returned to St. Petersburg, has resumed training at IAH. In the same year for the painting "The interior of the hut in Normandy" and "Channel fishermen" was awarded a small gold medal. In 1861, for the painting "The Last Spring" won the big gold medal, received the certificate class artist 1-th degree and the right to a pensioner's trip abroad for a period of three years.

in 1862 as a pensioner IAH went abroad, he lived in Paris, where he worked in T. Couturat, then in Munich, perfected in the workshops K. Pilots and C. Kaulbach. In 1865 he returned to St. Petersburg, IAH has received from the pensioner's maintenance for three years to travel to Russia "with the artistic purpose." In 1866, he traveled to Orel "to study the types of costumes and way of life. Repeatedly visited Moscow and Finland. Visited Vladimir and Nizhny Novgorod. In 1867, for painting "The Return of the field" and "Prayer before the baptism," was awarded the title of academician.

in 1860 gave drawing lessons from the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, and Pavel Alexandrovich, as well as in private homes. In 1865-1867 conducted painting, from 1875 - watercolor class in decorative Drawing School Society for the Promotion of Artists. In 1868 he was awarded first prize for painting OPKh "Congratulations parturients. As an artist-draftsman participated in archaeological expeditions led by IE Zabelin, the excavation of burial mounds on the Taman Peninsula (1869, 1871).

In 1870 the Council received permission to perform IAH now for the title of professor "Princess EA Dolgorukaya during her incarceration in Goritsky Monastery", but did not receive the desired title. In the same year was awarded to IAH cash prize of 500 rubles for a picture "Antiques" in 1871 - cash prize of 600 rubles for a picture "Black Bench».

in 1870 became a founding member and regular exhibitor TPHV. In 1873 at the International Exhibition in London was awarded the bronze "gilded" nominal medal. Took part in the World Exhibition in Antwerp (1885). In 1895 elected a member of IAH. In the same year served as senior restorer of paintings at the Hermitage.

He turned to etching, which is mastered under the guidance of AI Somov. He was a member of the Society akvafortistov. Created in this technique more than 25 sheets, mostly genre character. Engaged in lithography. He worked in the field of theatrical decorative art, as well as industrial graphics: perform sketches tobacco labels.

Klodt - one of the greatest painters of the second half of the XIX century, belonging to the so-called "small genre painter. His name is related to the formation of critical realism in Russia. Not accidentally, paintings Klodt were among the first who got in his collection of P. Tretyakov.

heyday of the artist's account for 1850-s - 1860 with the establishment of the most famous works: "Fishers-Finns" (1855), "Patient musician" (1859), "The Last Spring" (1861), "Rural christening" (1867), "The Return of the field" (1867) and others. The salient features of his art is narrative, clarity of composition construction, meticulous attention to detail, restraint, ascetic, coloring, with a predominance in the palette of warm colors - ocher, brown, red. In selecting subjects Klodt relied on the validity of his day, portraying the complex and sometimes tragic life situations: the loss of a breadwinner, the death of his wife and so he assigned a central transfer the internal state of man, his feelings and emotions, seeking extraordinary expressiveness and sincerity. In the pictures dominate the mood of hopelessness, sadness, sorrow, grief. This Klodt were alien accusatory tone, characteristic of the creativity of many of his contemporaries and followers.

the master's works are in many museum collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, State Russian Museum, the Research Institute of Russia Academy of Arts and others.