El Lissitzky (1890–1941): Russian Avant-garde Artist & Designer El Lissitzky, born Lazar Markovich Lissitzky in 1890 in the small Russian town of Pochinok, near Smolensk, Russia, emerged as a pivotal figure in the tumultuous landscape of early 20th-century art. His journey was one of constant reinvention, driven by a fervent belief in the power of art to shape society and reflect the dynamism of the modern world. From his initial training as an architect and engineer – pursuits hampered by restrictions placed upon Jewish students – Lissitzky’s path diverged towards artistic expression, initi…