Russia at all times was famous for talents in the creative activity of man, while recognition took place not only at home, but also abroad. Especially Russian painters, whose works are used as illustrative examples. The wealth of Russian nature with picturesque landscapes provides an opportunity to capture beautiful sunsets, sunrises, forests, mountains, rivers, lakes and all that Russian landscapes are generous with.
Many well-known talented landscape painters were born and worked on the Russian land, all can not be counted. Each brought something of his own and enriched the world collection of paintings with his work. Among them, Julius Yulievich Clover, whose work "Virgin Forest" is stored in the Tretyakov Gallery.
Childhood Julia
Julius Sergius von Clover, that was the name at birth on January 19, 1850 of the famous painter Julius Yulievich Clover, from Russified Germans by birth, born in Derpt, present Tartu, in the family of a chemistry teacher at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine.
From childhood, the boy was a lively, companionable and mischievous child; he preferred playful games, standing out among the many members of his huge and friendly family, although at home it was always noisy and crowded. Often with great desire and fun in their family they spent holidays and joint feasts, they liked to joke.
First Mentor Julia
Only a passion for drawing calmed him: he could sit for hours at this occupation. Parents understood very well that their son was growing up with an artistic gift, especially after the knights painted and carved to decorate the house for Christmas, which, like bridegrooms, all family members and neighbors went to look at.
The family decided to direct the boyās passion for drawing in the right direction, leaving the painter Karl Kugelchen to study. The teachers and the student were united by one passion for walking along calm Dorpat, during which Kugelchen, being an excellent connoisseur of the history of the city and sights, told the boy with enthusiasm. He, in turn, captivated by the teacherās stories, reached out to him, walking with him in all places, examining the terrain for drawing, discussing the bewitching landscapes and the beauty around.
The mentor told Julia Clover that all life on Earth has a soul, and the painterās task is to transfer this idea to the canvas. Based on these instructions, he then created his masterpieces, before which visitors stopped at the exhibitions in delight and reflection.
Science at the Academy
At the request of his father, after studying at the gymnasium, Julius Clover entered the Academy of Arts in the class of architecture. He, at first agreeing to study at the department of architecture, losing to his parent, then considered it a boring task. Patience was enough for almost a year, during which he repeatedly regretted the pliability of his relatives. Being a passionate and impulsive person, he could not endure architecture for a long time: it began to annoy him. Having finally made a decision, in 1870 he transferred to the class of landscape painting under the supervision of S.M. Vorobyev, and then M.K. Klodt.
Vorobyov turned out to be an unemotional person and read the subject without enthusiasm, Klodt was against acquainting the young man with the work of foreign landscape painters, limiting his development. They did not see the value in Cloverās aspirations, thereby disappointing him with the need for further training at the Academy on bored courses. He decided to leave her, once again upsetting his loved ones, and to improve his potential on his own, working only from nature.
First successes
A new task appeared, to exhibit his works in the Imperial Society: in it many artists became famous. For missing lectures in 1870 he was expelled from the Academy. But in 1871, one of the works āAbandoned Cemetery in Winterā was deservedly recognized by the Association of Artists and acquired in the collection of Count P. S. Stroganov .
Exhibited a year later, several paintings by Julius Clover again brought significant results, the Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna bought the painting "Sunset". In 1874, Julius Clover arranged his own exhibition. In 1875, the painting āLaunched Parkā was evaluated at the Society for the Encouragement of Artists by issuing a fee.
In 1876, the painter again organized an exhibition of 10 paintings and 30 sketches. 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 finish the academy. Two years later, he earned the title of academician of painting, thanks to the reproduction of "Old Park".
Business trip to Nargen
The summer of 1879, spent on the island of Nargen in the society of V.V. Samoilov - an artist and actor, turned out to be quite productive. A similar landscape and landscapes were then still unknown to Russian painters. Throughout all time, Julius Clover created his studies, which brought him fame, and the study "Wilderness" - a professorship and a place as a teacher at the Academy of Arts. This trip helped him to reach the climax of becoming an artist.
Some of the paintings were acquired by eminent people, the Virgin Forest was bought by the Russian businessman and philanthropist P. Tretyakov, who organized the Tretyakov Gallery, where the landscape takes its place. āNargen Islandā was liked by Grand Duke Aleksei Aleksandrovich, and āForest in winterā by Emperor Alexander III himself.
At the academy, Julia was given an apartment and a workshop in her building - apartments occupied by previously famous teachers M.N. and S.M. Vorobiev. 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 Clover. There was no end to customers.
Julia Clover's Style
Clover tried to paint pictures juicy and expressive, 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 evoked love for the North of the Motherland.
Painted by Julius Clover from his imagination, had a sensational recognition. This is āLittle Red Riding Hoodā, which depicts the heroine of a famous fairy tale in a dense forest and the wolf watching her, āForest Kingā and āForest of Ghostsā.
Thanks to fame, titles and fees for work, Julius Clover was a wealthy master. Being a generous man, he easily parted with money, not counting, donated it to countless comrades, without prejudice to himself. When the funds came to an end, he became an easel and created a masterpiece for sale.
Departure from Russia
Despite the generally positive life, there are gloomy notes in the biography of Julius Clover. In the 90s of the XIX century. life circumstances forced Yuli Yulievich to leave Russia in connection with his participation in the sensational trial as a witness for a financial crime. His friend P.F. Eseev, who was the conference secretary of the Academy of Arts, was accused of money misuse. However, according to the 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 clover was a great shock, lost inspiration, and therefore he could not create, became irritable in communication. Friends began to advise to leave Russia before the time, until this thing was forgotten. For long-term residence after the family council chose Germany. Clover spent time there 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 it. And finally, in 1915, shortly before the revolution, the Clover family again found itself in Russia, which has changed significantly. It blew the winds of change, the people were dissatisfied with the government, riots were brewing.
Upon arrival, he organized an exhibition of paintings in Moscow, visited the Baltic states, Belarus, Finland and Smolensk province with creative visits. Having survived the revolution of 1917, he continued to teach at the Academy of Arts, then at the Art and Industry Academy, heading the department of painting.
Yu. Yu. Clover spent the rest of his life in Petrograd, continuing his teaching activities and painting. He died on December 4, 1924. He was buried in Petrograd. A cheerful and restless disposition and a thoughtful assessment of the events allowed to live to old age. In difficult times of the last years of his life, he, smiling, recalled the years he had lived safely.