Aristarkh Lentulov is one of the most influential Russian artists of XX century. Alongside with Pyotr Konchalovsky, Mikhail Larionov and Ilya Mashkov he founded art-group 'Jack of Diamonds' and was its consistent participant.

Restless experimenter, he explored an array of new branches in art during 1910-s. His artworks dated by that period are powerful examples of expressionism. A trip to France and Italy in 1911-1912 broadened his artistic path with cubism, cubofuturism, simultanism, orphism.

An ability to live in a moment, to comprehend surroundings — whether it is a portrait, a landscape or a still-life — all these things motivated Lentulov's art. He wasn't really interested in facture and density of portrayed objects, but it was ephemeral flesh of impression that touched him. Thus, it became the main idea of his canvases.

As a remarkably gifted artist, Aristarkh Lentulov didn't come up with his own avant-garde theory, but performed as a great experimenter and gave Russian modern his own, significant intonation.

Curator
Natalia Kournikova

Translated by
Polina Vologdina