Georges Pozhidaev

Georges Pozhidaev, who worked in emigration as Georges de Pogédaïeff (also transliterated Pogedaieff; French sources also give his patronymic form as 'Grigory Pogidaieff,' the same person), was a Russian painter, graphic artist, theatrical designer and illustrator born in Yalta. He trained at the Moscow school of sculpture, painting and architecture, worked from 1916 on Kasyan Goleizovsky's ballets, and after emigrating to Europe in 1921 became known for daring, sexually charged costume designs for the theatrical avant-garde. In his later career he turned to easel painting and book illustration, illustrating Lermontov, Blok and Chekhov, and in 1947-50 self-published a four-volume illustrated Apocalypse; he was later awarded the Légion d'honneur.