Benois, Nadia (1896–1975)
Benois, Nadia (1896–1975)
Russian painter and set designer. Name variations: Nadezhda Leontievna Benois; Nadia Ustinov. Born Nadezhda Leontievna Benois, May 17, 1896, near St. Petersburg, Russia; died 1975 in England; dau. of Louis Benois (architect in tsarist court and professor of architecture); studied under Alexandre Benois (uncle who designed sets for Diaghilev) and Jacovleff Choukhaieff; attended private academy in St. Petersburg; m. Iona (Jonah) Ustinov (officer in tsarist army), 1920; children: Peter Ustinov (actor, playwright).
Moved with husband to England following marriage (1921); had 1st solo exhibition at Little Gallery, the Adelphi (1924); traveled to Scotland, France, Wales and Ireland which inspired impressionist landscape paintings; exhibited work in London and Paris and in Canada; began exhibiting with New English Art Club (1929) and was a member (1937–41); began designing sets (1932) and collaborated with son Peter on the play House of Regrets (1942); worked as set designer for several ballet companies, including Ballet Rambert; also worked closely with French avante-garde theater company, Compagnie Quinze.