Leon Shulman Gaspard (1882 - 1964)

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. --AskArt.com