Slavic love of famous artists

Slavic women have always been considered the ideal of beauty, tenderness and devotion. It was they who inspired the greats of the world to exploits in politics, science and art. How not to recall the famous Roksolana, the goddess of Salvador Dali Gala or the companion of the shocking Picasso - the Russian ballerina Olga Khokhlova? However, the list is not limited to these names. On the eve of the 150th anniversary of the great French artist Henri Matisse, we recall his “Siberian” love and the stories of two more talented painters who were conquered by the Slavs.

Lydia Delektorskaya: Matisse's last love

A native of the Siberian city of Tomsk, Lydia early left an orphan. Parents-doctors died of typhoid when the girl was 13 years old. After some time, Lydia joins a family of friends and leaves Russia for France. The first experience of family life was unsuccessful, the search for a decent job also failed. The young girl is forced to get a nanny in the family of Henri Matisse, to help the artist’s sick wife. The 62-year-old Maestro was subdued by the Slavic beauty of the blond angel and invited Lydia to pose for the painting "Dance". After completing the canvas, Matisse assigned Lida the role of his constant model (which Delektorskaya successfully coped with over the course of 20 years). Gradually, the relationship between the Artist and the Muse became more trusting and close. Lovers were not afraid of either a hefty difference in age, or the presence in the house of Matisse's wife.

The artist idolized his Slavic love, but this did not prevent Lida from remaining as modest. The girl was still caring for his sick wife, was busy with the housework and tried to create maximum comfort. As a special reward, Henry painted her portraits and presented as a gift. According to Matisse, his paintings should have become a kind of financial support in difficult times. In total, Henri Mathis created about 90 portraits of his Slavic goddess. The great painter died at the age of 85, in the arms of his beloved. After his death, not a single painting donated was sold by Lydia, the woman gave all the paintings as a gift to Russian museums. Such an act was not only a manifestation of patriotism, but also an eloquent answer to all who accused the woman of self-interest. The Muse survived her Artist for 44 years, devoting the last part of her life to popularizing the work of Henri Matisse. Delektorskaya was considered one of the best experts in painting of the famous Frenchman, actively collaborated with museums and literary publishers. The death of Lydia Delektorskaya was tragic, but not unexpected. Another suicide attempt was successful ... Life without Matisse made no sense.

Dina Vierny: Maillol’s brave muse

Chisinau was the hometown of Dina Aibinder, the girl was born in a family of talented musicians and from childhood absorbed the love of the beautiful. After emigrating to Paris, fifteen-year-old Dina met with the famous sculptor and artist Aristide Maillol.
73-year-old painter was fascinated by the youth, courage and cheerfulness of the girl and invited her to become his model. It was Dina who helped the master overcome depression and creative stagnation, inspiring him to create world-famous works. The union of the eminent French artist and Jewish emigrant girl lasted until the death of Aristide. For many years, Dina Verni was a muse for her master, which was reflected in a number of famous works. Dina was not only a beautiful “nymph”, but also a selfless, whole-hearted person. During the Second World War, a young woman took an active part in the movement of the French Resistance. Thanks to her help, many refugees managed to leave for Spain from occupied France. Madame Verni was hunted by the local police, as well as by the fascist Gestapo. Dina was arrested twice, and only the patronage of Aristide helped the brave girl to escape from being transferred to a concentration camp. September 1944 was the last time of love for two soul mates.
At the 84th year of his life, Aristide Maillol tragically dies in a car accident. He bequeathed to Dina all his cultural heritage and property. Having recovered from the grief of the loss of two relatives (the girl’s father died in Auschwitz, her beloved died in an accident), she begins to work on opening several museums. In addition to the works of Maillol, they exhibited paintings by Edgar Degas, Kandinsky, as well as contemporary masters. Dina Verni lived a long (89 years) and dignified life, becoming an example for many. An example of courage, optimism and selfless service to the beautiful.

Nadia Khodasevich : «I will marry labor!»

Nadia was born in the family of Belarusian peasants in 1904. In her youth, a talented and ambitious girl enters the Smolensk art workshops, her teacher was Kazimierz Malewicz himself. An impressive Nadia is fascinated by a book about the French painter Henri L?ger... At that time, she did not even imagine that she would someday become his wife. The girl dreams of living and studying in Paris, of learning innovative painting techniques. In 1922, Khodasevich managed to enter the Warsaw Academy of Arts. In order to be able to earn a living, the future artist earns money as a servant, sews things to order. Marriage with a young man from a wealthy family, Stanislav Grabowski, was short-lived. The move of the young family to Paris and the arrival of Nadezhda at the Fernand Leger Academy brought additional difficulties to the difficult family life. After the divorce, the young woman is left alone in Paris, in her arms is a little daughter. In my heart - hot dreams of a wonderful future.

After afternoon classes at the Academy, Nadia helped Leger in the workshop. During the war, the artist was forced to emigrate to America. Nadezhda Khodasevich actively supported the Resistance, not ceasing to work on her paintings. After the victory, the work of Hope became more and more popular. This served as a kind of reminder to Leger about her faithful assistant, and she was invited to the Academy as a teacher. Common interests, an ardent love of art and years of teamwork contributed to the convergence of two unique artists. At the time of the marriage, the bride was 48 years old, the bridegroom - 70 ... According to Khodasevich herself, she “married the work” and the basis of her decision was a feeling of deep respect and admiration for the extraordinary personality of the Master. The happy family-creative tandem lasted three years. In 1955, the famous artist died. Until the end of her days, Nadezhda Leger continued to work fruitfully, participated in the creation of the museum in memory of her husband.