Marc Sterling, Russian, 1897 to 1976, oil on board painting depicting a skull and musical instrument. Signed lower right. In 1916, Sterling entered the Art School in Moscow and later in 1917, he joined the avant-garde movement and became a student of Vladimir Tatlin, working at the famous VKHUTEMAS. In 1923, young Sterling and his wife moved to Paris where the artist joined the circles of Montparnasse avant garde artists with whom he became close friends. French Paintings And Russian Avant Garde Collectibles.