Peter Clodt (1805— 1867)
Family of future sculptor сame from the Baltic German nobility consisted of hereditary military. Klodt was born in 1805 in St. Petersburg , but his childhood and youth passed in Omsk. In Omsk far from European culture appeared a interest of carving , modelling and painting. Most of all Peter liked to depict horses , he saw a special charm in them.
In Omsk he attended Cossack Army School. In 1822 at the age of 17 , he returned to Saint-Petersburg and entered the Artillery School. All free time he gave his passion. In 1828 he retired from military service and decided to continue working only with sculpture. Two years Klodt studied by himself, he copied modern and antique works of art and worked with nature.
After training at the School of Cossack troop Klodt returned to St. Petersburg. At the time he was 17 years old. He enrolled in the School of Artillery, but free time with inspiration gave favorite hobby without problems. Whenever possible, Baron Klodt took up a pencil or a pen-knife and painted or carved figures of horses, at the same time in-depth study of the habits of graceful animals.
After graduating from college Klodt got a valid rank of lieutenant, and even served for a time in the training Artillery Brigade, but already in 1828 retired from military service and decided henceforth deal only with sculpture.
Strong continuation of a career has become a big government order for the sculptural decoration of the Narva gate together with so skilled as sculptors S. S. Pimenov and V. I. Demut. Malinovsky. On the attic of the arch was installed bearing the chariot of the goddess of fame, six horses, made of forged copper model Klodt in 1833. In contrast to classical images of this scene, the horses performed Klodt rushing full speed ahead and will even stand on its hind legs. While the sculptures gives the impression of rapid movement. After performing this work the author received worldwide fame and the patronage of Nicholas I. there is a legend that Nicholas I said, "Well, Klodt, are you doing horses better than colt"
Two years Klodt studied independently copied modern and antique works of art and working with nature. Since 1830, he is a volunteer at the Art Academy , his teachers were rector of the Academy of Martos , as well as masters of sculpture Galberg and Orlovsky.
At the end of 1832 - beginning of 1833 the sculptor received a new government contract to perform two sculptural groups to decorate the palace pier Admiralty Embankment. In the summer of 1833 Klodt made the model for the project , and in August of the same year the model was approved by the emperor and brought for discussion in the Academy of Arts. The members of the Academic Council expressed full satisfaction with the work of the sculptor and it was decided to perform the first two groups in full size.
