Items Similar to Spring
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
Constantin KlugeSpring
About the Item
Spring
Constantin Kluge (Russian, Latvian, 1912-2003)
Signed Lower Right
29.5 x 36.5 inches
36.5 x 44 inches framed
He was born in Riga, Latvia, on January 29, 1912 to Russian parents.
His father was a graduate of the Polytechnic Institute of Riga and his mother a Professor of Literature. Kluge's father was drafted into the Czar's army in 1914. Then the chaos of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and the ensuing Civil War completely uprooted the family.
They moved frequently, always eastward, arriving in Manchuria in 1920. Here the little boy learned to speak Mandarin. In 1925 the émigré family moved again, this time to the French "concession" of Shanghai, where Kluge would graduate from the French Municipal High School.
By the time he was seventeen, he was a very active member of the Shanghai Art Club. At this period of his life he also took up the violin and cello, and later in Paris gave music lessons to help meet his expenses. Meanwhile, his parents had decided that pure art was not a dependable career, and so in 1931 Kluge left Shanghai for Paris to study architecture. He spent six years at the E'cole des Beaux-Arts and in 1937 graduated with the title of French Government Architect.
The years spent studying and living in the Latin Quarter of Paris had created in Kluge a strong attachment to the characteristic scenes of Paris, and, instead of returning immediately to Shanghai and his family, he stayed on in Paris for six months painting views of Paris in oils, purely to portray and preserve the scenes he so loved. The childhood years spent in the Orient had contributed to his love of painting.
His professor of Chinese had taught him, from the age of ten, a respect for the handling of the brush, and the attitude of the Orientals toward the beauties of nature drew the young artist to the depiction of beauty and away from the vogue for the ugly and sordid in painting. When Kluge returned to China, he practiced his profession of architecture for a time. But when his friends persuaded him to exhibit his paintings, the exhibitions were so successful and aroused such enthusiasm that Kluge felt that painting, his first love, could afford him a livelihood. Kluge spent the years of World War 11 in Shanghai convinced that he avoided trouble with the Japanese occupiers only because of the respect and love the Japanese people have for painting.
In mid-1946 he accepted an architectural post in Hong Kong and continued to paint in his spare time. In March, 1950, amid rumors that the Chinese Communists might invade Hong Kong, Constantin Kluge left Asia for good and returned to his beloved Paris. Already a mature and successful painter by the time he reached Paris, it is not surprising that he won an award and considerable attention at the Paris Salon in 1951. Since that time he was a frequent exhibitor in the Salon shows, which proved to be his gateways to ever increasing public attention. Kluge was a member of the Societe' des Artistes Francais, and his works won prizes at their Salon. In 1961 he was awarded the Medaille d'Argent as well as the special Raymond Perreau prize given by the Taylor Foundation at the Salon.
In 1962 he received the coveted Gold Medal of the Salon. In 1990, Kluge earned one of the most prestigious non-military awards bestowed by the French government: he was named a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by the French Ministry of Culture. In 1991, Kluge was awarded the Grand Medal of the City of Senlis. Completely captivated by the many moods of Paris, Kluge became absorbed in painting this beautiful city. The gaiety and animation of the flower markets; the subtly pensive and poetic quiet areas along the Seine; the special quality of Paris sunshine in early spring; the quaintness yet sophistication of Pairis are wonderfully expressed in his widely varied compositions. His fascination with Paris is contagious and the viewer feels drawn into each Kluge painting. In addition to Paris scenes, Kluge has sought out quiet, picturesque harbor scenes where the colors of water and sails blend to form softly modulated patterns of great beauty and interest. As with his paintings along the Seine, Kluge's handling of water in these harbor scenes is unusually lovely and convincing.
Probably due to his early architectural training, Kluge has in the past been primarily occupied with subjects which include buildings of many types, but pure landscape subjects intrigued him as well. In his country scenes of provincial France, where sunlight and changing atmospheric qualities present a new challenge, Kluge used the same subtlety and sensitive rendering of beauty found in his other work. It is interesting to find this capable painter rounding out his repertoire in such varied fashion. While Kluge continued to paint, he ws also a writer of considerable stature. His autobiography, Constantin Kluge (published in 1987), details his fascinating life and includes many color reproductions of his paintings.
French art critics have declared that Constantin Kluge was a painter of poetic realism. Kluge painted without affectation, in a frank and straightforward style. His firm drawing and well-constructed forms are bathed in an atmosphere of subtle colors. He enjoyed painting and communicated that joy to the beholder.
- Creator:Constantin Kluge (1912 - 2003, French)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 36.5 in (92.71 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Missouri, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU747314223872
Constantin Kluge
Constantin Kluge was a Russian-born French painter best known for his naturalistic scenes of Paris and French countryside in a style reminiscent of Albert Marquet. Kluge was born to a wealthy military family on January 29, 1912 in Riga, Latvia, which was then a large, industrial Russian port city. He spent much of his childhood and young adult life between Manchuria, Beijing, and Hong Kong, where he discovered a love for brush and ink painting. Kluge studied architecture at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris and earned his diploma in 1937. Upon graduating, he painted the city’s river banks and streets before returning to Shanghai. With the rise of Communism in China, the artist fled to Paris in 1950 and began exhibiting in the French Salons. He was a success both artistically and financially. Of his many awards, he received the Gold Medal, Salon des Artistes Francais and was made Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur by the French Government. He died on January 9, 2003 in Paris, France.
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1970
1stDibs seller since 2017
141 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 23 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Missouri, MO
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- La Peche a la LigneBy Henri Gabriel IbelsLocated in Missouri, MOLa Peche a la Ligne Henry-Gabriel Ibels (French, 1867-1936) Signed Lower Left 25.75 x 20 inches 35 x 29 inches Henri-Gabriel Ibels (30 November 1867 Paris – February 1936 Paris), wa...Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- A Day at the BeachBy Gaston SebireLocated in Missouri, MOA Day at the Beach Gaston Sebire (French, 1920-2001) Signed Lower Right 29 x 36 inches 36.5 x 44 inches with frame Gaston Sebire was born August 18, 1920, in Saint-Samson Calvados. ...Category
Late 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Central Park AutumnBy Paul CornoyerLocated in Missouri, MOPaul Cornoyer “Central Park Autumn” c. 1910 Oil on Canvas Framed Size: approx 29 x 35 inches Canvas Size: approx 22 x 26.5 inches Provenance: The Artist to Private Collection, St. Louis thence by Descent Conservation report: Excellent condition. On original canvas, not relined. No in-painting. Paul Cornoyer was born in 1864 in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied there at the School of Fine Arts in 1881. His first works were in a Barbizon mode, and his first exhibit was in 1887. In 1889, he went to Paris for further training, studying at the Academie Julien, and returned to St. Louis in 1894. By the early 1890s, his work was more lyrical and Tonal, and he applied this style to subjects such as cityscapes and landscapes. In 1894, he painted a mural depicting the birth of St. Louis for the Planters Hotel in that city. His activities during the next six years were not particularly profitable, however, and the whereabouts of his St. Louis paintings are scarcely known. One exception is the triptych, A View of Saint Louis, with its strong urban realism. It shows the Eads Bridge...Category
1910s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Straw FieldsBy Joan ParkerLocated in Missouri, MOJoan Parker (20th C.) "Straw Fields" Oil on Canvas Canvas Size: 10 x 20 inches Framed Size: 21 x 31 inches Joan Parker, is a Plein Air landscape painter and a native of California....Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- Fishing Pier - St. Ives, CornwallBy Richard Hayley LeverLocated in Missouri, MORichard Hayley Lever (1876 - 1958) "Fishing Pier - St. Ives, Cornwall Oil on Canvas Canvas: approx 6 1/3 x 9 1/3 inches Framed Size: approx. 11 x 14 inches Born in Adelaide, Austr...Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- The Avenue Lights (5th Avenue, New York City)By Gerald Harvey JonesLocated in Missouri, MOThe Avenue Lights (5th Avenue, New York City) By. Gerald Harvey Jones (American, 1933-2017) Signed Lower Left 20 x 16 inches without frame 30.5 x 26.5 inches with frame G. Harvey (G...Category
20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
You May Also Like
- "Moving the Wild Ones", Robert Hagan, 60x216, Oil/Canvas, Western, ImpressionismLocated in Dallas, TX"Moving the Wild Ones" by Robert Hagan is an original oil on canvas and measures 60x216. In this large original painting by Robert Hagan, cowboys on horseback run through the canyon mountains kicking up dust and trying to reign in runaway mustangs and they travel through the blue water and canyons. The contemporary cowboys are in trench coats with their cowboy hats flying off into the sky while holding Mustang Australian-style bullwhips that are ready to strike. Translating scenes of everyday life into nostalgic and blissfully peaceful visions of the world, Robert Hagan has become a premier Western artist of our time. A man of many talents his impressionistic style using a limited palette of oil brings a sense of tranquility that makes his paintings come alive. Robert Hagan is an Australian painter...Category
2010s Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- At the ClotheslineBy Irving Ramsey WilesLocated in New York, NYSigned lower right: Irving R. WilesCategory
Late 19th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- "Sunday in the Park, 1910"By Cyprien Eugène BouletLocated in Lambertville, NJSigned Lower Right Cyprien-Eugène Boulet (1877 - 1927)Category
Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- "Boats in the Harbor"By Hayley LeverLocated in Lambertville, NJOriginal Period Frame Hayley Lever (1876 - 1958) Hayley Lever's exceptional career path took him from the shores of his native Australia to those of England, and then the United S...Category
1930s Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- "Alley Fiends"By John R. GrabachLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork by: John R. Grabach (1886 - 1981) John Grabach was a highly regarded New Jersey artist, teacher, and author of the classic text...Category
1930s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- "Forest Strongholds"By John F. CarlsonLocated in Lambertville, NJSigned lower right. Complemented by a hand carved and gilt frame. Exhibited at the National Academy of Design, 1928Category
20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil