Mikhaïl Larionov (Russian 1881-1964)
The painter, stage designer, illustrator and draughtsman Mikhail Larionov was, together with his lifelong companion the artist Natalia Gontcharova, a leader of the Russian avant-garde, the originator of Rayonism and a leading exponent of Neo-primitivism. In 1908 he staged the Golden Fleece exhibition in Moscow which included paintings by international avant-garde artists such as Matisse, Derain, Braque and Van Gogh. As a result of this exhibition and the first of a series of trips to Paris, he started to experiment with the Post-Impressionism and Neo-primitivism styles. He was a founding member of two important Russian artistic groups, Jack of Diamonds (1909 - 1911) and the more radical Donkey's Tail (1912 -1913).
During the 1920s Larionov played a significant role within the École de Paris and continued to make impressive contributions to painting, graphic art and theatrical design until his death.