The book traces the life history and evolution of the work of a remarkable artist, one of the greatest masters of Russian art of the 20th century. The author critically examined a large volume of previously published literary sources and archival documents, and also introduced numerous materials from different years into scientific circulation: a youth diary, official documents, materials from Russian and foreign periodicals of the 1900s–1930s. This made it possible for the first time to highlight a number of important episodes in the life and work of Petrov-Vodkin and to correct some inaccuracies and distortions in the master’s biography, partially provoked by his autobiographical stories, published in the early 1930s and colored by the socio-historical situation of the time of their creation. The book examines all types and genres of art that Petrov-Vodkin was involved in; in addition to easel painting, his work in drawing, monumental paintings, and theatrical design of different years is analyzed. The activity of Petrov-Vodkin - artist, writer, theorist, teacher - is considered for the first time as a single process of artistic evolution. The main part of the book analyzes the creative activity of Petrov-Vodkin, and the extensive “Chronicle of Life and Work” includes excerpts from correspondence, quotes from works of art criticism, and archival documentary materials.