The exhibition showcases the early period of the creative work of Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharova - a time when both artists were just developing their own language and closely observing European art. The pastels and drawings from this stage allow us to see how their interest in color, form, and new artistic techniques evolved. The project focuses on the pre-avant-garde stage of the work of two key figures in 20th-century Russian art. The spotlight is on pastels and drawings from the first half and mid-1900s, in which the traits of future major artistic discoveries are already noticeable. Many works remained in storage for a long time and are now available to the public for the first time. During this period, both artists were in a state of active search. Mikhail Larionov was studying painting, Natalia Goncharova was studying in the sculpture department, and then, under his influence, began working with pastels. For her, this technique became the first serious experience of engaging with color. At the same time, the young masters closely studied contemporary European art. Their interest was directed towards Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, the experiences of Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, and other artists. They familiarized themselves with the collection of Sergei Shchukin, read Russian and foreign magazines, and later participated in the exhibition "Salon of the Golden Fleece," where works by Russian and French masters were displayed side by side.