Mikhail Fedorovich Larionov

Mikhail Fedorovich Larionov (1881–1964) was a pioneering Russian avant-garde artist and co-founder of Rayonism, one of the first purely abstract art movements. He played a central role in organizing landmark exhibitions such as the Knave of Diamonds and Donkey's Tail in Moscow, helping to introduce Post-Impressionist and Futurist ideas to Russian audiences. After emigrating to Paris in 1915 with his partner Natalia Goncharova, he became an influential designer for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes.