Who was the Russian-born French painter, known as the pioneer of abstract art?

I'm glad the picture was actually representative of the answer. Kandinsky is my favorite painter!

millwallmarty, open your mind, clear your mind, relax and you might learn to appreciate it. Understanding it? that's a whole different animal.

Knew the answer from the movie Double Jeopardy where the band guy was a huge fan of this artist. :-/

art is so universal, a shame it wasn't welcome everywhere.