El Lissitzky, by name of Eliezer Lissitzky, also spelled Elizar Lissitzky, Russian in full Lazar Markovich Lisitsky, Yiddish Lasar Markowitsch Lissitzky, (born November 11, 1890, Pochinok, near Smolensk, Russiaâdied December 30, 1941, Moscow), Russian painter, typographer, and designer, a pioneer of nonrepresentational art in the early 20th century. His innovations in typography, advertising, and exhibition design were particularly influential.