Leon Gaspard

Of Russian origin, he was fascinated with regional color, costumes and rituals, especially of local people of Taos, New Mexico where he arrived in 1919. His work of wide-ranging subjects is noted for its brilliant color and intricate patterning. His style combined elements of French Impressionism with Realism.

He was born in Vitebsk, near Moscow, into a family that nurtured his talents. By the age of fifteen he was taking art classes, and one of his fellow students was Marc Chagall.