Angelina Petrovna Belova

Place: Saint Petersburg

Born: 1879

Death: 1969

Biography:

Angelina Petrovna Belova, also known as Angelina Beloff, was a Russian-born artist who did most of her work in Mexico. Born in 1879 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, she studied art there before moving to Paris in 1909 to begin her art career. In Paris, she met and married Diego Rivera, with whom she had one child, Miguel Ángel.

Early Life and Career

Belova's early life was marked by her intellectual family and her entry into the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts in 1905. After her parents' death in 1909, she moved to Paris, where she developed her skills in printmaking techniques, including engraving in wood and metal. She also worked as an art teacher and earned recognition for her painting and drawing.

Relationship with Diego Rivera

Belova's relationship with Diego Rivera was significant, both personally and professionally. They were married in Paris by the end of 1909, but their life together was not easy, especially during the First World War. Belova worked various jobs to support Rivera's painting career, sacrificing her own creative development. She left a diary of her life with Rivera, which describes their private life, exchanges of ideas as painters, and collaborative projects.

Move to Mexico

In 1921, Rivera returned to Mexico, leaving Belova behind and divorcing her. However, she was invited to come to Mexico in 1932 by Alfonso Reyes and Germán Cueto, where she pursued her art career and founded several public institutions devoted to the arts. Her work in Mexico was characterized by her use of Mexican imagery, but her artistic style remained European. Some notable works by Belova include:

• Painting by Angelina Petrovna Belova: No Title (The State Russian Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia)
• Painting by Nikolai Dubovskoi: Calm Before the Storm (33 x 85 cm, Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, United States)
• Painting by Kazimir Severinovich Malevich: Musical instrument (Cubism)

Belova's work can be found in several museums, including the Museu Altai State Fine Arts Museum and the Penza Regional Picture Gallery. Her biography is also available on Wikioo.org and Wikipedia.

Legacy

Belova's legacy is marked by her contributions to the art world, both in Mexico and Russia. Her work continues to be celebrated, and her story has been told through various media, including a novel written by Elena Poniatowska in 1978. Today, Belova's artwork can be found in several museums and private collections, a testament to her enduring legacy as an artist and art educator.