Kuzma Petrov Vodkin

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was a Russian and Soviet painter and writer. He was born in a small town in the Volga region, where he learned to draw and paint from local craftsmen. He moved to Saint Petersburg in 1895 to study art at the Stieglitz Academy, and later at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. He also spent some time in Munich and Paris, where he was influenced by European modernism. He developed his own style of painting, which he called "spherical perspective", based on the idea of depicting the curved surface of the earth. He used bright colors and geometric shapes to create expressive and symbolic compositions. He painted landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and scenes from Russian history and folklore. He also experimented with iconography and religious themes, which caused controversy and criticism from the Orthodox Church. He was one of the founders of the World of Art movement, which aimed to revive the artistic traditions of Russia and Europe. He was also a member of the Four Arts association, which supported the avant-garde artists of the Soviet era. He was elected the first president of the Leningrad Union of Soviet Artists in 1932. Besides painting, Petrov-Vodkin was also a prolific writer. He wrote three semi-autobiographical novels, which were illustrated by his own drawings. He also wrote essays, memoirs, and articles on art theory and criticism. He was praised for his literary talent and his vivid depiction of Russian life and culture. He contracted tuberculosis in 1927, which affected his health and productivity. He died in 1939 in Leningrad, leaving behind a rich and diverse artistic legacy.