Mikhail Matyushin was a Russian painter, composer, and theoretician who played a prominent role in the Russian avant-garde. Initially a professional musician, he later turned to painting and received training at the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. Matyushin participated in exhibitions and became associated with Russian Futurism, meeting influential figures such as Kazimir Malevich and Aleksey Kruchonykh.

In 1909, Matyushin co-founded the Union of Youth with his future wife, Yelena Guro. Although they eventually left the group due to differing artistic views, they remained connected and took part in exhibitions together. Matyushin composed music for the groundbreaking opera "Victory over the Sun," known for its innovative use of sound effects.

Influenced by Guro, Matyushin began exploring theoretical aspects of painting, particularly the perception of color and space. After the Russian Revolution, he continued his research and became the director of the Department of Organic Culture at the Petrograd Institute of Artistic Culture.