NATALIA GONCHAROVA (1881–1962) Pulling a Cannon [Pushku tyanyut]

unsigned lithograph on paper 24 × 32.5 cm. (image) Executed circa 1912 LITERATURE: V. Polyakov, Books of Russian Cubo-Futurism, Moscow, 1998, p. 128. Pulling a Cannon is a rare early lithograph by Natalia Goncharova, one of the leading figures of the Russian avant-garde in the early twentieth century. Between 1906 and 1911 she explored the aesthetics of Neo-Primitivism, drawing inspiration from Russian folk art, particularly lubok prints. Working closely with Mikhail Larionov, the two artists are regarded as the founders of Neo-Primitivism as a movement in Russian art. Deeply attracted to ancient Russian and popular artistic traditions, Goncharova sought to revive a national visual language rooted in folk culture. Goncharova herself articulated the ideas of the primitivist movement: 'The art of my country is incomparably deeper and more significant than anything I know. I am rediscovering the path to the East, and I am certain that many will follow me along this path.'