Jean Pougny (also known as Ivan Puni) was born in Kuokkala in 1894, in present-day Finland. Despite his parents' hopes for a military career, he chose painting and received academic training. During a trip to Paris in 1910, he discovered fauvism, cubism, and Japanese art, which greatly influenced his work.

Puni became a prominent figure in the Russian avant-garde. In 1912, he exhibited alongside artists like Exter, Bourliouk, Gontcharova, Tatline, and Malevich. His studio became a hub for the avant-garde movement. Puni returned to Paris in 1914 and exhibited at the Salon des Indépendents. He organized the first futurist exhibitions, showcasing his work alongside his friends.

After the war, Puni taught at Marc Chagall's Academy in Vitebsk, but political circumstances forced him to flee his country. He sought refuge in Berlin with his wife, Xana Bogouslavskaya. In Berlin, he exhibited at the Der Sturm Gallery in 1921 and engaged in costume design, theatre sets, and conferences.

In 1924, Puni relocated to Paris and adopted the name Jean Pougny. His artistic style evolved, moving away from cubo-futurism and suprematism. He embraced Nabis-style painting, focusing on landscapes, interiors, and scenes of Parisian life while maintaining his unique approach. Pougny formed friendships with artists like Fernand Léger, Marcoussis, and Amédée Ozenfant.

From 1925 to 1933, Pougny participated in numerous collective and solo exhibitions in Paris. His breakthrough came with an exhibition at the Jeanne Castel Gallery. He became an integral part of the French art scene, participating in group events both in France and abroad.

During the war, Pougny and his wife sought refuge on the French Riviera. He obtained French nationality after the war. In 1956, Pougny enjoyed solo exhibitions in Paris, New York, London, and other cities, along with participating in various collective exhibitions across Europe.