Ely Belyutin

Painter, graphic artist, collector, art historian. Born in the family of Mikhail Belyutin in Moscow (1925). Studied painting under Pavel Kuznetsov, Aristarkh Lentulov and Lev Bruni. Founded his own creative studio (1946; closed down 1962). Graduated from the Moscow Institute of Fine Arts (1946) and became a post-graduate student of Pavel Kuznetsov and Mikhail Alpatov at the Vasily Surikov Institute of Art in Moscow (1949). Member of the Union of Artists (1947; expelled 1948). Candidate of art history (1953). Taught at the Studio for Raising Qualifications, Moscow Institute of Polygraphy (1954–59; expelled for teaching abstractionism) and the Moscow Textile Institute (1955–57; expelled). Headed his own illegal studio, the Abramtsevo Brotherhood, in his house and studio (from 1964; destroyed 1966). Leading member of the unofficial art movement in the Soviet Union (1960s–70s). Member of the Italian Academy of Modern Art (1969). Died in Moscow (2012). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1947).