Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk, in 1878. Very young he becomes fascinated with Russian icons. He takes drawing and painting lessons with Fedor Burov in Samara (1894-1895). He enrolls at Baron Stieglitz’s Central School of Technical Drawing in Saint Petersburg (1895-1897), then studies at the School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in Moscow (1897-1904) under Korovin and Serov. In Munich (1901), he works at Azbe studio, in Paris (1905-1908) he goes to Colarossi’s studio. Although his early works are influenced by French and German Symbolism, very soon he turns to his roots and discovers the charm of Russia and the Russians. He paints subjects such as motherhood, youth and people at work. His three colors’ palette of red-yellow-blue is his trade mark. His masterpiece “Bathing of the Red Horse” (1912), both mysterious and powerful, is considered as an introduction to a new era.
He participates in: The Golden Fleece (1900s), The Union of Russian Artists (1909-1910), Jar-Tsvet (1924), and AKhRR (1928). He is member of The World of Art group and Four Arts. He invents mysterious “biographical” adventures. He visits Munich, Leipzig, Warsaw and Prague (1921). He visits Italy and Turkey (1925). He works in North Africa, Central Asia and France. In 1918-1919, he creates a series of still lives and paints set decorations for the theater. He experiments with panoramic effects, color, perspective and composition. In the late 1920s due to tuberculosis he turns back to literature and writes three autobiographies. Petrov-Vodkin dies in Leningrad in 1939.

Nadezhda Udaltsova
Nadezhda Udaltsova (1886-1961) Cubist Portrait 59×99 cm Oil on canvas 1915 MTA83998 The composition presents a male figure playing a cord...
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Alexander Vesnin
Alexander Vesnin (1883-1959) Abstract Composition 48X81.5cm Oil On Wood Board 1917c. MTA83992 The Abstract Composition by Alexander Vesnin (1883-1959),...
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Boris Herbert Kleint
Boris Herbert Kleint (1903-1996) Komposition No. 11 Oil on Linen 146 x 97 cm 1939 MTA84029 Boris Kleint’s (1903-1996) oil...
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Roberto Matta
Roberto Matta (1911-2002) Three Figures Oil on Burlap 139.7 x 188 cm Circa 1958 MTA84028 At the age of 22...
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Ilya Chashnik
Ilya Chashnik (1902-1929) Supremacist Composition Watercolor and pencil on Paper 31×19 cm 1920c MTA84000 A leading member of the Russian...
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Alexander Bogomazov
Alexander Bogomazov (1880-1930) Composition No. 2 48×43 cm Oil on Canvas 1914-15c. MTA83991 Bogomazov attempted to capture forms in motion...
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Alexandra Exter
Alexandra Exter (1882-1949) Costume design for Romeo and Juliette 34×37.5cm Watercolor and pencil on Paper 1921 MTA018865 Before WWI, the...
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