Kuzʹma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin

**Kuzma Sergeyevich Petrov-Vodkin** (Russian: Кузьма́ Серге́евич Петро́в-Во́дкин; November 5, \[O. S. 24 October\] 1878 – February 15, 1939) was a Russian and Soviet painter. His early iconographic work used special creative effects based on the curve of the globe, but its images were considered blasphemous by the Russian Orthodox Church. However he went on to become the first president of the Leningrad Union of Soviet Artists. His autobiographical writings attracted much praise, and have enjoyed a later revival. He was one of the members of the art association ‘The Four Arts’, which existed in Moscow and Leningrad in 1924-1931.