For their roles in the birth of modernism, most of the 14 Russian women artists profiled in this profusely illustrated monograph by a Soviet art historian came from far-flung provinces to challenge the overrefined European conventions of Moscow and St. Petersburg. For their role in the birth of modernism, most of the 14 Russian women artists featured in this richly illustrated monograph by a Soviet art historian came from far-flung provinces to challenge the overly refined European conventions of Moscow and St. Petersburg.