– Art Critic Nina Moleva
– Art Collection
– Art Critic
– Art
– Nina Moleva
– Collection
– Putin.
Nina Moleva, Renowned Russian Art Critic, Passes Away at 98
Russian art critic Nina Moleva, a writer, outstanding scholar of history and art, journalist, and war veteran, has sadly passed away at the age of 98. The news of her demise was confirmed by Russia’s Culture Ministry to Interfax on Wednesday, February 11.
A Mysterious Collection Worth $2 Billion Bequeathed to President Putin
Moleva was known for her ownership of a remarkable collection of more than 1,000 paintings, sculptures, and other artworks, which included masterpieces by renowned artists such as da Vinci, Rembrandt, Titian, and Michelangelo. The collection, valued at a staggering $2 billion, was housed in a three-room apartment in central Moscow, under tight 24-hour security.
Controversy Surrounding the Collection
However, Moleva’s claims regarding the collection’s value were met with skepticism by journalists and fellow art critics. Even the prestigious Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts declined to accept the collection when she attempted to donate it. Despite the doubts surrounding its authenticity, Moleva intended to bequeath the collection to the state.
Bequeathing to President Putin
In an intriguing turn of events, Moleva ultimately decided to bequeath the collection to President Vladimir Putin. According to reports, she had initially planned to leave it to the state but was advised by her lawyer to name an individual. And so, she chose Putin. When asked about her decision back in 2015, Moleva simply stated, “I have left it to the president. I have nothing else to say.”
Theories Surrounding the Collection’s Origin
Various theories have emerged regarding the origins of Moleva’s collection. One suggests that Moleva and her late husband, the renowned avant-garde artist Ely Belyutin, may have collected and dealt art for Soviet leaders. Another intriguing theory proposes that Belyutin, rumored to have been a Soviet military intelligence officer, might have smuggled the artworks from war-torn Europe.
The couple claimed that Belyutin’s grandfather, Ivan Grinyov, a stage artist at Moscow’s imperial theaters, had initially started the collection as an aspiring patron of the arts. According to their family’s story, Grinyov managed to hide the collection from the Bolsheviks during the tumultuous revolution of 1917.
In 1968, Moleva and Belyutin were granted permission to move back into three rooms of their former 12-room apartment. To their astonishment, they discovered the hidden trove of art in a fake attic, right where their ancestor had supposedly left it all those years ago.
Final Words
Nina Moleva’s passing marks the end of an era for the art world. Her bequeathment of a collection worth billions to President Putin has left many intrigued and curious about its true origins. As the world mourns the loss of this remarkable art critic, the mystery surrounding her collection continues to captivate art enthusiasts and historians alike.
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– Art Critic Nina Moleva Dies at, Leaving Estimated Collection to Putin
– Art Critic Nina Moleva Dies at 98, Leaving $2Bln Collection to Putin.
