Pavel Varfolomevich Kuznetsov (1878–1968) was a Russian painter and graphic artist. He studied at Saratov at Bogolyubov Art School (1891-6), then Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (1897–1904) and for a year in Paris (1905).

His early paintings were exhibited by the Mir Iskusstva group, and he was closely associated with the Russian Symbolists. He helped to organize the Crimson Rose exhibition (1904) and was a founder and leader of the Blue Rose in 1907.

He taught at the Stroganov Institute (1917–18; 1945-8) and at the Moscow Institute of Fine Arts (1918–37). He headed the painting section of Narkompros until 1921, but fell out of official favour with the advent of Socialist Realism.

Kuznetsov's early paintings are typical of the Blue Rose group's poetic explorations of an interior, imaginative world through archetypal symbols. After 1910 he drew increasingly on folk culture, continuing to draw on the rich colours and harmonious rhythms of the Symbolists but simplifying his compositions to depict the everyday life of village communities of Kirghizstan in Central Asia.


Source:
Wikipedia, 2019

Pavel Varfolomevich Kuznetsov was a Russian artist born into the family of an icon painter. He studied at various art schools in Russia and Paris, becoming a prominent member of the symbolist movement. Kuznetsov was a founding member of the "Blue Rose" association and exhibited widely with other art groups. He traveled extensively, creating works inspired by his journeys, such as the "steppe suite" based on his trip to Kyrgyzstan. Kuznetsov also worked in the theater and taught at various art institutes. His works are held in prestigious museums such as the State Tretyakov Gallery and the State Russian Museum.