Povolotsky (1881-1945) was an Odessa-born publisher, patron of the arts, public figure and a freemason based in Paris. Goncharova’s lifetime partner Mikhail Larionov began collaboration with Povolotsky in 1919 and opened with the publisher a small gallery and an eponymous publishing house “The Target”, or “La Cible”, within Povolotsky’s publishing house. In La Cible, the first editions of Larionov and Goncharova’s works were published, among which is an album-catalog L’art décoratif théâtral moderne, an account of their work with Diaghilev’s ballets. Similarly, Goncharova and Larionov published at La Cible their two works with Valentin Parnak, including Samum (1919-20) and Motdinamo (1920), as well as Blok’s Twelve and Scythians.
After La Cible ceased its work, Goncharova also illustrated the book co-published by Povolotsky: Mikhail Tsetlin’s Transparent shadows and Forms (1920). Povolotsky’s publishing house is listed in the edition together with Zerna [Grains] in Moscow, implying that Povolotsky maintained his collaboration with Moscow publishers even during the Russian Civil War. Publishing albums, magazines, booklets and brochures with works by contemporary Russian artists, Povolotsky most likely included those by Goncharova and Larionov regularly, but printed works of this kind are not the primary subject of this research. It seems that Goncharova maintained close contact with Povolotsky even after her active work with him through La Cible and on Tsetlin’s book: in her letter of 1934 to him, she asks Povolotsky to hire or perhaps give an opportunity to work to Alexandra Tomilina, Larionov’s model and later partner living with him and Goncharova in Paris.