Born in St. Petersburg in 1832 (1833). Died in the same city in 1902. Mikhail Klodt was a descendant of an art dynasty. His father was an engraver, his uncle was a sculptor, and his cousin was also a painter. Klodt studied at the Institute of Mining Engineers where drawing was taught, and later at the Academy of Arts (1851–1858). After receiving the Great Gold Medal, Klodt left on a pensioner’s trip across Germany, Switzerland and France (1858–1861). Upon his return, he lived and worked in St. Petersburg, and traveled to Russian provinces. Klodt was a professor and a member of the Academy of Arts Council. He was a founding member of the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions in 1870, but left its ranks in 1880. However, he continued to display his landscapes at exhibitions put on by the Association.
