Crossword Genius

Revolutionary painter with Saint Nicholas in Russia? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tsar

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'nicholas in russia?' is the definition.
'tsar' can be an answer for 'nicholas' (I've seen this in another clue). I am unsure of the 'in russia?' bit.

'revolutionary painter with saint' is the wordplay.
'revolutionary' says the letters should be written in reverse (letters revolve around).
'painter' becomes 'RA' (member of the Royal Academy of Arts).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'saint' becomes 'st' (abbreviation).
'ra'+'st'='rast'
'rast' reversed gives 'TSAR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tsar that I've seen before include "Nicholas II was the last" , "Old Russian 22" , "Powerful man" , "Russian ruler (S, not Z)" , "Russian leader" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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