Art critic who bequeathed millions of dollars worth of paintings to Putin dies
[ad_1]
Art critic Moleva, who bequeathed expensive paintings to President Putin, has died
According to information received from the press service Ministry of Culture of Russia, On February 11, at the age of 99, Nina Moleva, a famous art critic, writer and historian, died. The department expressed deep condolences over the passing of this unique scientist, writer and wonderful woman.
Nina Moleva was the wife of artist Eliya Belyutin, who died in 2012. Together they possessed a significant art collection, including works by such masters as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Diego Velazquez, Titian, Bernardino dei Contino, Antonio Rossellino and others. According to the Moskovsky Komsomolets publication, the value of this collection is estimated at $2 billion.
The art critic said that the collection was started by her grandfather Ivan Grinev, who worked as an artist at the Imperial Theater. During the Soviet Union, the paintings were hidden in his apartment, which was communal. In 1968, part of the apartment was returned to the previous owners, and then the couple discovered this unique collection.
In the 1990s, Nina Moleva and her husband decided to bequeath the collection to Russia, but after his departure it became known that this was not possible by law. Then the will was drawn up for a representative of the state – Vladimir Putin.
Nina Moleva was born on December 5, 1925. She graduated from Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov in 1947 with her thesis under the guidance of academician Igor Grabar. Since 1950, she has worked as an art consultant for various cultural institutions and publishing houses. At different times she taught literature courses and gave lectures abroad. From 1975 to 1989, Nina Moleva created and headed the Stage Story Theater together with the actors of the Maly Theater. Since 1995, she has been married to Eliy Belyutin.
[ad_2]
Source link
