# Michail Larionov artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/michail-larionov/
Profile generated: 2026-05-03T05:52:00.000Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Birth date: 1881-05-22
- Death date: 1964-05-10
- Nationality: Russian, French
- Movements: Russian Avant-Garde, Neo-Primitivism, Rayonism (Luchism)
- Common media: Oil painting, Gouache, Watercolor, Graphic works and prints, Stage and costume design

## About Michail Larionov

Mikhail Fyodorovich Larionov (1881–1964) was a Russian-born painter, designer, and art theorist who became a central figure of the Russian avant-garde. Born in Tiraspol, Moldova, he studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he met his lifelong partner and collaborator, Natalia Goncharova. Larionov co-founded two influential exhibition groups—the Knave of Diamonds and the more radical Donkey's Tail—before developing Rayonism (Luchism) around 1912, an early abstract style exploring the interplay of reflected light rays. After leaving Russia, he and Goncharova settled in France and worked extensively with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, creating celebrated stage and costume designs. He became a French citizen and continued working in Fontenay-aux-Roses until his death. Larionov's work is held by major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, Tate, and the Tretyakov Gallery.

## Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Larionov's oil paintings from his Neo-Primitivist and Rayonist periods, which depict folk scenes, soldiers, and abstract light compositions. Gouaches and watercolors, including theatrical set and costume designs for the Ballets Russes, are common at auction. Graphic works such as lithographs and illustrated books also appear. Subjects range from Russian rural life and military scenes to abstract rayonist explorations and ballet-related imagery. Works are variously signed Larionov, Larionoff, or Michel Larionov depending on the period and country of execution.

## Market and appraisal context

Appraisily's auction-record index tracks 18 lots attributed to Michail Larionov spanning 1994 to 2025, of which 7 carry realized prices. Prices cluster in a low-to-moderate band: the interquartile range is approximately $100–$1,250 (USD), with a median of $280. A single outlier—the Sotheby's 1994 sale of an oil at $16,100—accounts for the ceiling. Most priced lots are graphic works, ephemera (Grand Bal tickets), and small-scale compositions sold through regional houses (Galerie Moenius, Winterberg-Kunst, JS Auktionen, Arthaz). Christie's appears four times, and Sotheby's once, indicating occasional blue-chip representation but limited liquidity at the top tier. No lots recorded in the most recent 12 months (two in the prior 12), suggesting thin current market activity. Key auction houses observed include Christie's, Sotheby's, Galerie Moenius, JS Auktionen, Winterberg-Kunst, Arthaz, Aste Bolaffi, Gregory's Casa d'Aste, Hauswedell-Nolte, Sala Retiro Subastas, and Shapiro Auctions LLC. The price distribution reflects that works coming to market are predominantly later-period graphic works, designs, and smaller pieces rather than the highly sought-after early Neo-Primitivist or Rayonist oils, which are scarce and typically held institutionally.

## Auction-house-backed market evidence

Appraisily's auction-record index tracks 18 lots attributed to Michail Larionov spanning 1994 to 2025, of which 7 carry realized prices. Prices cluster in a low-to-moderate band: the interquartile range is approximately $100–$1,250 (USD), with a median of $280. A single outlier—the Sotheby's 1994 sale of an oil at $16,100—accounts for the ceiling. Most priced lots are graphic works, ephemera (Grand Bal tickets), and small-scale compositions sold through regional houses (Galerie Moenius, Winterberg-Kunst, JS Auktionen, Arthaz). Christie's appears four times, and Sotheby's once, indicating occasional blue-chip representation but limited liquidity at the top tier. No lots recorded in the most recent 12 months (two in the prior 12), suggesting thin current market activity. Key auction houses observed include Christie's, Sotheby's, Galerie Moenius, JS Auktionen, Winterberg-Kunst, Arthaz, Aste Bolaffi, Gregory's Casa d'Aste, Hauswedell-Nolte, Sala Retiro Subastas, and Shapiro Auctions LLC. The price distribution reflects that works coming to market are predominantly later-period graphic works, designs, and smaller pieces rather than the highly sought-after early Neo-Primitivist or Rayonist oils, which are scarce and typically held institutionally.

### Appraisal notes

An Appraisily appraisal for a Larionov work would combine these auction records with the specifics of the piece: photographs, dimensions, medium, signature form, condition report, and documented provenance. The wide price dispersion ($70–$16,100) means that medium, period, and authentication are decisive value drivers. Early Russian-period oils (pre-1915) in the Neo-Primitivist or Rayonist style would be compared against the Sotheby's 1994 result and any available Impressionist & Modern Art category comparables—adjusted for inflation, market shifts, and condition. Later gouaches, Ballets Russes designs, and graphic works would be benchmarked against the $70–$1,250 band observed in the dataset. Attribution verification is critical: signature forms changed across his career (Larionov, Larionoff, Michel Larionov), and some lots in the record may reflect misattributions or name-fragment matches rather than genuine works. A qualified appraisal would flag lots with unclear or generic titles and cross-reference against scholarly sources, given the absence of a public catalogue raisonné.

### Valuation factors

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### Collector notes

- The majority of lots coming to market are later-period graphic works, ephemera, and small-scale pieces priced below $300. Collectors seeking early Rayonist or Neo-Primitivist oils face genuine scarcity—most remain in museum collections.
- Christie's and Sotheby's represent the strongest price tier. Regional European houses (Galerie Moenius, JS Auktionen, Winterberg-Kunst, Arthaz) frequently offer Larionov works at lower price points, which can present acquisition opportunities.
- Some lots in the auction record appear to be misattributed name-fragment matches (e.g., a Regency lantern clock, a white gold ring) rather than works by the artist. Verify lot details carefully before using any result as a comparable.
- Larionov's partnership with Natalia Goncharova means provenance records and auction lots sometimes reference both artists. Works with documented joint exhibition history may carry a premium.
- The highest recorded price in this dataset ($16,100 at Sotheby's, 1994) is over 30 years old and predates the significant appreciation of Russian avant-garde works in the 2000s. Current values for comparable early-period oils may be substantially higher.
- No lots were recorded in the most recent 12 months. Collectors considering a sale should time listings to coincide with Russian Art or Impressionist & Modern Art sale weeks at major houses for maximum exposure.

### Market caveats

- The auction-record sample is small (18 lots, 7 priced) and spans over 30 years. Statistical measures (median, quartiles) should be interpreted with caution given the low count and wide date range.
- At least two lots in the dataset (a Regency lantern clock and a white gold ring) appear to be name-fragment matches rather than genuine Larionov artworks. These were excluded from price analysis but remain in the raw lot count.
- No public catalogue raisonné is available for Larionov. Attribution verification requires access to specialized scholarly resources or expert opinion.
- The highest-priced lot ($16,100, Sotheby's 1994) is over 30 years old and may not reflect current market conditions, particularly given the appreciation of Russian avant-garde works since the mid-2000s.
- Price data spans multiple currencies (USD, EUR, CHF, GBP). Currency conversion timing affects comparability across lots.
- The observed price range ($70–$16,100) reflects the full spectrum of media and periods. Individual work values depend heavily on medium, period, size, and authentication status.
- The zero-lot count in the most recent 12 months may reflect data collection timing rather than a true market absence. Always verify current auction listings.

### Market evidence sources

- Appraisily auction record index: https://appraisily.com/api/scraper-search/artists/michail-larionov/seo-profile?recentLimit=24&relatedLimit=0
- Invaluable (Sotheby's): https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-michail-larionov-1881-1964-200-c-ws8q2zfy81
- Invaluable (Christie's): https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-a-regency-lantern-clock-on-mahogany-and-ebonized-base-the-clock-case-by-mi-1240-c-0164ad2a65
- Invaluable (Sala Retiro Subastas): https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-ring-made-in-white-gold-dancer-type-formed-by-mi-192-c-3b04ed781a
- Invaluable (Hauswedell-Nolte): https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-michail-larionov-384-c-32tpjq00ek

## Appraisily data basis

This Appraisily artist page combines structured identity research from museum, library authority, and biographical sources with auction-house context, sale records, and comparable lot data when those records are available. Biographical facts are grounded in the Library of Congress Name Authority File, the RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History, MoMA, Tate, and Wikidata. Market observations draw on institutional provenance records and public auction category data rather than private or paywalled databases.

## Sources

- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38785
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Larionov
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/121962789/
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n50039199
- The Museum of Modern Art: https://www.moma.org/artists/3389
- Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/michel-larionov-1468
- RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/48127
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500012150