Konstantin Somov

Konstantin Somov was a Russian and later French painter who belonged to the artistic Benois family. He was influenced by Symbolism, Theosophy, and eastern religions. He painted portraits, landscapes, and scenes of rural life, often using a stark and realistic style. He was a member of the Mir iskusstva movement and a relative of many famous artists. He was one of the first Russian women painters to achieve recognition in her own country and abroad. He moved to Paris in 1924 after the death of his husband and the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. He continued to paint and exhibit his works until his death in 1939.