Mikhail Konstantinovich Klodt

The canvas has been striplined. The paint surface is fairly clean but thin in places. There is an area of paint loss to the middle left and a fine surface scratch to the middle right. Uv light reveals areas of retouching along the edges and further spots of retouching scattered troughout. Held in a gold painted plaster frame and unexamine out of frame
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From 1851 Mikhail Konstantionovich Klodt studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts under Maxim Vorobiev. In 1858 he was not only awarded a Grand Gold medal for his series View of Liflandia near Zagevolt but also a travel bursary which enabled him to live and work in Germany, Switzerland and France. After his return to Russia, Klodt was one of the first artists who consciously set off in search what was peculiarly characteristic to the Russian countryside. He applied what he had learnt from European art to make the vast Russian landscape accessible in all its majestic beauty.

In 1862 he became a Member of the Imperial Academy of Arts. In 1871-1872 he presided, together with Alexei Bogoliubov, over the establishment of a landscape painting class at the Academy which he headed from 1873. Klodt´s appointment as a Professor marks the official recognition of landscape painting in Russia.