Baron Mikhail Konstantinovich Klodt von Yurgensburg was a Russian landscape painter of the second half of the 19th century. He was the first among Russian artists to combine genre painting with epic landscapes. He was born on December 30, 1832, in St. Petersburg into the Klodt von Yurgensburg family, known for its artistic talents. His father, Major General of Artillery Konstantin Karlovich Klodt, was fond of wood engraving, and his uncle, Pyotr Karlovich Klodt, was one of the leading sculptors in Russia at that time. In his childhood, Mikhail was reclusive. He entered the Corps of Mining Engineers, but found the studies uninteresting and often skipped classes. The only subject that brought him satisfaction was drawing, taught by Ivan Fomich Khru tskiy, who recognized Mikhail's future talent.

In 1851, at the age of 18, Mikhail Klodt entered the Imperial Academy of Arts, where he eagerly studied under M. N. Vorobyov, specializing in landscape painting. In 1853, for one of his student works, he received a silver medal of the second degree and became a scholarship holder of the Society for the Encouragement of Artists. According to the family chronicler Grigory Klodt, the young artist refused the scholarship in favor of those more in need, and it was transferred to one of the Kreitan brothers. In 1855, he was awarded a large silver medal, and in 1857, for the painting 'View on Valaam Island,' he received a small gold medal. The canvas was exhibited at the 1857 academic exhibition and received positive reviews from critics.

In May 1858, he went on a three-year assignment abroad from the Academy of Arts. However, being an admirer of Russian nature, after a year he requested to return to spend the remaining time painting landscapes in Russia.

Thanks to his academic education, Klodt created magnificent Russian landscapes, such as 'View in the Oryol Province' (1864), 'The Volga near Zhiguli' (1879), 'Ploughmen in Ukraine' (1879). His painting 'The Great Road in Autumn' (1863) became an important theme for many subsequent landscape painters. The work 'On the Plough' (1872) reflects an optimistic view of Russian nature, while the painting 'Forest Depths at Noon' (1878) anticipates I.I. Shishkin's 'Forest Depths' (1884).

In December 1870, Klodt became one of the founders of the Society of Traveling Art Exhibitions. In the following decade, his activities were closely associated with the society. In 1873, he received a professorship at the Academy of Arts. Klodt's works were repeatedly exhibited at World Exhibitions in Paris (1867, 1868), London (1872), Vienna (1873), and Philadelphia (1876).

After leaving the Society of Wanderers, the artist continued to travel across Russia and create new works. Over time, his health deteriorated, leading to vision problems and headaches. The last mention of Mikhail Klodt dates back to 1897 in connection with the anniversary exhibition of the Wanderers. Little is known about the last years of his life, but archival documents indicate his need and debts.

Mikhail Konstantinovich Klodt passed away on May 16, 1902, leaving a significant legacy in 19th-century Russian painting.