Marevna (Vorobiova–Stebelsakaya) Maria Bronislavovna

Marevna is a pseudonym, invented in 1912 by M. Gorky for Maria Bronislavovna Vorobiova –Stebelsakaya (1892, the Kazan Region – 1984, London). Studied at the Tiflis Fine Arts School (1907-1908), then at the Stroganov Arts School in Moscow (1910). Left for Paris in 1912, where studied at the I. Suloagui and F. Colarossi Academy. Was living in Monparnace at the ‘Ulia’ painters’ circle joint to the Maria Vassilieva Academy, having got a remarkable representative of so called ‘Paris School’. For a certain period was staying under the influence of cubism. After World War I turned to the puantilism technique, having created a kind of alloy of the two trends, interpreted in a decorative spirit. Simultaneously worked for the ‘Irfet’ Fashion House, run by F. Yussupov and his wife, as well as for the famous garment designer Paul Puaret. Marevna’s works were bought by the famous collector Leon Zamoron, Commissar of the Paris Police. Since 1912 participated at the Paris Exhibitions. The works of Marevna were exposed at the Tuilrit Saloon, the Saloon of Independent and at the well-known café ‘Rotonda’. In 1936-1948 was living in the south of France. Moved to England in 1948. Personal exhibitions of Marevna were being constantly held in London and Paris. In 1992 in London was held a broad exhibition of Marevna – ‘Marevna and Monparnace’ dedicated to the 100th Anniversary since the painter’s birth. In 2004 there was a large exhibition of the painter’s works held at the State Tretyakov Gallery. Large collection of Marevna’s works are owned by the Petit-Pallet Museum (Geneva).