Painter, graphic artist and stage designer. Born into a family of gentry and merchants and a relative of N.N.Goncharova, the wife of A.S.Pushkin. In 1901 entered the MSPSA, where she studied in the sculpture department under P.P. Trubetskoy and S.M.Volnukhin. She studied painting under K.A.Korovin (until 1909). Later she continued her studies of painting under the supervision of M.F.Larionov, her companion. In the 1900s Goncharova takes part in the exhibitions MAA, URA, of the Golden Fleece, Wreath, The Autumn Salon of Paris, the Venice Biennale and The Salon of Izdebsky. Between 1906 and 1912 her works are marked by Primitivism, which is followed with the fascination with Rayonism and Futurism. Later she participated in and organised (together with M.F.Larionov) the Jack of Diamonds (1910), the Donkey’s Tail (1912), Target (1914) and No. 4 exhibitions, took part in the exhibitions of the World of Art, Union of Youth groups, the Moscow Salon, the Blue Rider (Munich-Helsinki), of Futurists in Rome, of Post-Impressionists in London, of the Sturm Gallery in Berlin. In 1915 Larionov and she were invited by S.P.Diaghilev to Paris where she produced set decorations for his performances. In the 1930s-1940s she works in various theatres in Europe and America. Numerous exhibitions of the 1960s-1990s testify to the artist’s world recognition. N.S.Goncharova is a painter of the Russian avant-garde with a most decisive character and great talent. After her trip to the Crimea in 1903 she turns to Impressionism with Expressionist features. Like M.F.Larionov, she has the schooling of the newest trends in French painting from P.Gauguin to Expressionism. The fascination with Western art led Goncharova to her own conclusions ("Self-Portrait with Yellow Lillies", 1907). She sees the absolute value in the original way of Russian art and culture, of their Eastern roots: "The West has demonstrated one thing – everything we have is from the East. I am laying a new passage to the East and I am sure that many will follow me". The source of her creation is in the archaic layers of art, in stone idols, primitive icons, popular prints, its foundation is tied to Neo-primitivism. In the 1900s Goncharova works on "The Peasant’s Series" ("Fishing", 1909; "Washing Linen", 1910). The Tretyakov Gallery has a large collection of her works in the mature synthetic style: "Peacock in the Bright Sunlight (Egyptian Style)"; "Winter, Gathering Firewood"; "The Smoker", all of them in 1911). The artist dreamt of painting churches, of reviving old monumental art, of renewing it with the contemporary understanding of colour and form. She produces work "The Evangelists" (1911) where the elongated form of the canvas resembles the deesis tier of the iconostasis. In her explorations she tried to combine Christian tradition and folk beliefs. Her incredible ability to work was a distinguishing feature of her character. Goncharova presented 762 works at her 1914 exhibition in Moscow. Her talent as a theatre artist is revealed in Paris after 1915. She makes brilliant decorations for "The Gold Cockerel" opera-ballet (1914) to the music of N.A.Rimsky-Korsakov, "The Little Wedding" ballet (1923) set to the music of I.F.Stravinsky and others. In the 1930s-1940s she continues to work in the theatres of Europe and America.