The same year Maria Yakunchikova left for France and stayed there till the end of her short life. He visited Russia just occasionally. 

The young artist continued her art studies in R. Julian’s private academy till 1894. She quit the academy for independent creative work in a studio she rented. Maria Yakunchikova displayed her paintings in the Paris Salon.

In the 1890s she created mood-paintings depicting the realm of ancient estates: A Window in Morevo (1894), Covers, Out of Window of Old house. Vvedenskoye (both 1897).

Maria Yakunchikova was ranked among the best Russian artists of those years. Members of the famous World of Art association invited her to participate in their exhibitions and journal. For nearly half a year the cover created by Maria Yakunchikova decorated the journal editions in 1899.

Along with painting she tried her wings at majolica and graphic art. Maria Yakunchikova’s color etchings akin to the style of art nouveau were distinguished by the English magazine The Studio and had a great impact on the creativity of A. P. Ostroumova-Lebedeva.

Maria Yakunchikova was attracted to applied art as well. From 1895 she made decorative panels in a special technique combining pokerwork and oil painting. Like her closest friend E. D. Polenova, she was fond of folk art and collected its samples. Her panel The Town (1896) is replete with NeoRussian folk motives. The wood carved toy shelf and the embroidered panel Girl and Wood Goblin made after Maria Yakunchikova sketches were shown at the World Fair of 1900 in Paris and won a silver medal. Those latest works were made under her guidance in the studios of Abramtsevo. 

Maria Yakunchikova died of aggravated tuberculosis in the town of Saint Bougeri near Geneva. The artists’ successors keep lots of her art works.