Pavel Kuznetsov was born on November 17, 1878, in Saratov to a family of icon painters. When his artistic abilities became evident, he enrolled in the "Studio of Painting and Drawing" at the Saratov Society of Lovers of Fine Arts. There he studied under V. V. Konovalov and G. P. Salvin-Barracki. His meeting with V. E. Borisov-Musatov had a significant influence on him, as it did on other young artists in Saratov.

In 1897, Kuznetsov successfully passed the entrance exams to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. He studied under A. E. Arkhipov, K. A. Korovin, and V. A. Serov, which gave him a circle of friends and like-minded individuals who later formed the "Blue Rose" group.

His talent combined with inexhaustible energy led to a long and successful career. In 1902, he became close to V. Ya. Bryusov and the symbolists, collaborated with symbolist publications, and joined the "World of Art" movement.

That same year, Kuznetsov, along with K. S. Petrov-Vodkin and P. S. Utkin, worked on the frescoes of the Kazan Mother of God Church in Saratov. Their innovative approach caused public discontent, and the frescoes were destroyed.

In 1904, he became one of the organizers of the "Scarlet Rose" exhibition and actively participated in the creation of the "Blue Rose," which was finally formed after the 1907 exhibition.

In 1906, at the invitation of Sergey Diaghilev, Kuznetsov visited Paris, where his works were presented at an exhibition of Russian art. He became a member of the Autumn Salon.

Kuznetsov was a member of the "World of Art," "Union of Russian Artists," and "Four Arts" associations. In the late 1900s, his creativity experienced a crisis, but trips to the Zavolzhye steppes and Central Asia inspired him to new heights. He brought back from these travels the rhythm and poetry of the East, which reflected in his works such as "Kyrgyz Suite" and "Bukhara Series."

During the revolution, Kuznetsov worked actively, participated in the publication of the magazine "Path to Liberation," engaged in teaching activities, and headed the painting section in the People's Commissariat for Education. He created new variations of Eastern motifs and painted portraits of his wife, E. M. Bebutova.

In 1923, he visited Paris with a solo exhibition, which inspired him to create "Parisian Comedians." Trips to Crimea and the Caucasus enriched his creativity, for example, the panel "Grape Harvest." In 1930, a trip to Armenia inspired him to create paintings about monumental architecture.

Kuznetsov was the organizer and chairman of the "Four Arts" society and in 1928 was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR. He taught at Vkhutemas-Vkhutein and other institutes in 1917, 1937, 1945, and 1948.