Rayonism
Created around 1911 in Russia by Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharova, Rayonism emerged after its founders left the groups Jack of Diamonds and Donkey’s Tail. Their aim was to develop a form of expression that deconstructed every element of the object except for its light reflections: what remained on the canvas were bold colours, fragmented lines and intersecting forms radiating like rays. Strongly influenced by Futurism, the movement often favoured themes of modernity, aligned with scientific discoveries and technological advancements. Although deeply rooted in pre‑revolutionary Russian culture and imbued with a sense of nationalism, Rayonism simultaneously claimed the universality of art, seeking a fourth dimension, a heightened consciousness necessary to reach its ultimate goal of transcendence.