Marianne von Werefkin (1860-1938), Russian-German-Swiss painter, a member of ancient russian nobility, was born in the Russian town of Tula.
She was well educated according to western standards and the young girl's artistic talents were recognised early and encouraged.
She had her first private academic drawing lessons at the age of fourteen.
She was introduced to Illarion Michailowitsch Prjanischnikow, a member of the "Peredwischniki", where she began her studies, by the Repin family.
When her family moved to St. Petersburg in 1886 Marianne von Werefkin took private lessons under Repin.