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Placing Russian artist Natalia Goncharova at the crossroads of inspiring muse and artistic innovator, this essay highlights the exceptional role of Natalia Goncharova in Russian avant-garde art. Goncharova connected Russian modernism to its native sources in folk art and icon painting, thus promoting a new aesthetic positioned between East and West. The uniqueness of Goncharova's work lies in its ability to remain faithful to the visual world and to nature and, at the same time, be modern and up-to-date. Particular focus is on the artist's understanding of Russia's national selfdetermination in the East-West coordinate system and her reflection of the principles of beauty, unity, and diversity in art.