YULIY KLEVER (1850-1924) Late autumn forest landscape under a full moon
Lot 387
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signed in Cyrillic and dated ‘1903 Y Klever’ (lower right), inscribed in German ‘Wald im Spätherbst / J v Klever’ (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
113.5 x 77.9 cm
painted in 1903
PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Munich
This atmospheric forest scene by Julius von Klever captures the haunting beauty of a late autumn landscape. Under the pale light of a full moon the forest takes on a mysterious presence. Tall spruces, rendered with Klever’s characteristic precision, dominate the composition; their silhouettes rise against the night sky, with a fallen tree in the foreground. The ground is carpeted ochre grass with fallen leaves, the last remnants of the fading season. At right, two wild boars make their way through the underbrush — likely added at a later stage, a familiar practice in Klever’s work — subtly animating the stillness of the scene and adding a narrative dimension.
In this painting, Klever combines a romantic mood with detailed observations of nature, capturing the quiet melancholy of the autumn wilderness.
Born in 1850 in Dorpat (modern-day Tartu, Estonia) to German parents, Julius von Klever emerged as a master of Russian landscape painting. His early artistic education began under the guidance of the landscape artist Constantin von Kügelgen, laying the foundation for his lifelong dedication to nature painting.
In 1867, Klever enrolled at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, where he studied architecture and landscape painting, learning from prominent figures such as Baron Mikhail Klodt and Sokrat Vorobiev. His talent quickly set him apart. By 1873, he was exhibiting regularly, and in 1881, at only 31 years old, he was appointed a professor at the Academy — a rare honour at such a young age.
Klever’s success extended beyond Russia. He participated in major exhibitions in Munich, Paris, and Berlin, where he also lived and worked after 1905. His international acclaim grew steadily, and in 1893 he was ennobled by Tsar Alexander III, a keen collector of Klever’s work.
Julius von Klever is best known for his evocative landscapes that balance a faithful depiction of nature with a rich, emotional atmosphere. His works often portray deep forests, quiet rivers, and dramatic skies, infused with a mood of reflection and solitude.