Russian artist Julius Klever: biography and creativity

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Russia has at all times been famous for its talents in the creative activity of man, moreover, recognition took place not only at home, but also abroad. Especially Russian painters, whose works are used as illustrative examples. The richness of Russian nature with picturesque landscapes provides an opportunity to capture beautiful sunsets, sunrises, forests, mountains, rivers, lakes and everything that Russian landscapes are generous with.

Many well-known talented landscape painters were born and worked on the Russian land, you can't count them all. Each contributed something of his own and enriched the world collection of paintings with his creativity. Among them is Julius Yulievich Klever, whose work "The Virgin Forest" is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery.

Childhood Julia

Julius Sergius von Klever, this was the name at birth on January 19, 1850 of the famous painter Yuli Yulievich Klever, from Russified Germans by origin, born in Derpt, now Tartu, in the family of a Chemistry teacherat the Institute of Veterinary Medicine.

From childhood, the boy was a lively, sociable and mischievous child, he preferred frisky games, standing out among the numerous members of his huge and friendly family, although the house was always noisy and crowded. Often, with great desire and fun, their families held holidays and joint feasts, they loved to joke.

First mentor Julia

Only his passion for drawing calmed him: he could sit for hours at this occupation. Parents understood perfectly well that their son was growing up with an artistic gift, especially after the painted and carved knights decorating the house for Christmas, which, like a bride, went to look at all family members and neighbors.

The family decided to direct the boy's passion for drawing in the right direction, giving the painter Karl Kügelchen to study. The teacher and the student were united by one passion for walks around the calm Dorpat, during which Kugelchen, being an excellent connoisseur of the history of the city and sights, enthusiastically expounded this to the boy. He, in turn, captivated by the stories of the teacher, reached out to him, walking with him in all places, examining the areas worth drawing, discussing the bewitching landscapes and beauty around.

The mentor told Julius Klever that all life on Earth has a soul, and the task of the painter is to transfer this thought to the canvas. Based on these instructions, he then created his masterpieces, before which visitors at exhibitions stopped in delight and thought.

Science inAcademies

At the request of his father, after studying at the gymnasium, Julius Klever entered the Academy of Arts in the architecture class. He, at first agreeing to study in the architecture department, yielding to his parent, then considered it a boring occupation. Patience was enough for almost a year, during which he repeatedly regretted his compliance with his relatives. Being a passionate and impulsive person, he could not endure architecture for a long time: she began to annoy him. Having finally made a decision, in 1870 he transferred to the class of landscape painting under the guidance of S. M. Vorobyov, and then M. K. Klodt.

Vorobyov turned out to be an impassive person and read the subject without enthusiasm, Klodt was against familiarizing the young man with the work of foreign landscape painters, limiting development. They did not see the value in Clover's aspirations, thus disappointing him in the need to further study at the academy on bored courses. He decided to leave her, once again upsetting his loved ones, and improve his potential on his own, working only from nature.

First successes

There was a new task, to exhibit their works in the Imperial Society: in it, many artists became famous. For skipping lectures, he was expelled from the Academy in 1870. But in 1871, one of the works "Abandoned Cemetery in Winter" was deservedly recognized by the Association of Artists and acquired in the collection of Count PS Stroganov.

Exhibited a year later, several paintings by Yuli Klever again brought a significant result, Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna bought the painting"Sunset". In 1874 Julius Klever arranged his own exhibition. In 1875, the canvas "The neglected park" was evaluated by the Society for the Encouragement of Artists, issuing a reward.

In 1876, the painter again organized an exhibition of 10 paintings and 30 studies. In the same year, the acquisition of the painting "Birch Forest" by Alexander II, brought the title of artist of the first degree, despite the fact that he did not graduate from the academy. Two years later, he earned the title of academician of painting, thanks to the reproduction "Old Park".

Trip to Nargen

Summer 1879, spent on the island of Nargen in the company of V. V. Samoilov, an artist and actor, turned out to be quite productive. Such a landscape and landscapes were then still unknown to Russian painters. Throughout the time, Julius Klever created his sketches, which brought him fame, and the sketch "Forest Wilderness" - a professorship and a position as a teacher at the Academy of Arts. This trip helped him reach the pinnacle of becoming an artist.

Part of the paintings were bought by eminent people, "Virgin Forest" was bought by a Russian businessman and philanthropist PM Tretyakov, who organized the Tretyakov Gallery, where the landscape takes its place. Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich liked Nargen Island, and Emperor Alexander III himself liked The Forest in Winter.

At the academy, Yuliy was given an apartment and a workshop in his building - apartments occupied by previously famous teachers M. N. and S. M. Vorobyov. Julius moved into a new home with his young wife. He achieved recognition in society: it was considered bad manners,if the house does not have at least one painting by the artist Julius Klever. There was no end to customers.

July Klever Style

Clover tried to paint juicy and expressive pictures, for the sake of this he could neglect the accuracy of the display. His fans believed that he creates his masterpieces in a new way, without fear, with a twist. His canvases awakened love for the North of the Motherland.

Painted by Julius Klever from his imagination, had a sensational recognition. These are "Little Red Riding Hood", which depicts the heroine of a famous fairy tale in a dense forest and a wolf watching her, "Forest King" and "Forest of Ghosts".

Thanks to fame, titles and fees for the work, Julius Klever turned out to be a we althy master. Being a generous person, he easily parted with money without counting, donated it to countless comrades without compromising himself. When the funds came to an end, he stood at the easel and created a masterpiece for sale.

Departure from Russia

Despite the generally positive life, in the biography of Julius Klever there are also gloomy notes. In the 90s of the XIX century. life circumstances forced Yuli Yulievich to leave Russia, in connection with his participation in a sensational trial as a witness in a financial crime. His friend P. F. Yeseev, who was the conference secretary of the Academy of Arts, was accused of misusing funds. However, according to an unspoken version, he was accused of other people's sins committed by Grand Duke V. A. Romanov, who since 1876 became president of the Academy of Arts.

For Yu. Yu. This was a great shock to Clover, inspiration was gone, and therefore he could not create, became irritable in communication. Friends began to advise to leave Russia until the time when this matter was forgotten. For long-term residence after intra-family advice, they chose Germany. There, Clover spent his time quite productively: exhibitions opened, customers visited him, he gave interviews to the press.

Return to Russia

However, he yearned for Russia, its nature and places, dreaming of returning to start a different life, and thought a lot about this. And finally, in 1915, shortly before the revolution, the Clover family again found itself in Russia, which had changed significantly. The winds of change blew in it, the people showed dissatisfaction with the government, uprisings were brewing.

Upon arrival, he organized an exhibition of paintings in Moscow, visited the B altic States, Belarus, Finland and the Smolensk province with creative visits. Having survived the revolution of 1917, he continued to teach at the Academy of Arts, after that at the Artistic and Industrial Academy, heading the department of painting.

Yu. Y. Klever lived the rest of his life in Petrograd, continuing his teaching activities and painting. Died December 4, 1924. Buried in Petrograd. A cheerful and restless disposition and a thoughtful assessment of current events made it possible to live to an advanced age. In the difficult times of the last years of his life, he, smiling, recalled the years he lived safely.