Alexander Nikolaevich Volkov (Uzbekistan, Fergana, 1886 - 1957, Tashkent), titled "Karakum desert in Uzbekistan" (1908-1918). Signed lower right with the letter "Ъ" on the lower right. Born into the family of a garrison doctor. He spent his childhood in Turkestan. In 1905, after graduating from the Orenburg Cadet Corps, he entered the St. Petersburg University, but after studying for several years he left it, entering the workshop of the watercolorist D. I. Bortniker, then the Higher Art School at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, in the class of V. E. Makovsky (1908-1910). Classes at the private school of M. D. Bernstein, where N. K. Roerich, I. Ya. Bilibin, and sculptor L. V. Sherwood (1910-1911) taught, had a great influence on the fate of the future artist. He continued his studies at the Kiev Art School (1912-1916), with F. G. Krichevsky and V. K. Menk. Since 1916 he lived in Central Asia. He then became an avant-garde artist. Although his style was heavily influenced by Cubo-Futurism, it was officially declared formalist and counter-revolutionary, which doomed him to obscurity. He was also an acclaimed poet. Dimensions: 20 1/2 x 13 3/4 in., (52 x 35 cm. ) The Canvas appears to be in a fairly good condition for the age. Shows multiple small paint flakes around the edges.