Masha Ivashintsova (1942-2000) was a photographic genius who was heavily involved in the Leningrad poetic and photography underground movement of the 60s to 90s. She was the lover of three of the hailed artistic personalities of the time, including linguist Melvar Melkumyan whom she had a daughter with, Asya.

Masha was an avid photographer who captured the captivating period of time through the lens of her Rolleiflex and Leica cameras, but never showed her work to anyone, believing her talents unworthy compared to those of her lovers. It was only 17 years after her death that Asya discovered a box of Masha’s undeveloped films in their attic, totalling to over 30,000 negatives. Based from the images below, it is clear that Masha underestimated her amazing gift for photography. Today, the world celebrates her talents, paying her the recognition she so well deserves.

Images © Masha Ivashintsova with permission by Asya Ivashintsova-Melkumyan


Leningrad, USSR, 1974 | Masha Ivashintsova with her lover, Photographer Boris Smelov


Leningrad, USSR, 1977


Melvar Melkumyan, husband and father, Moscow, USSR, 1983


Melvar Melkumyan, Moscow, USSR, 1979


Leningrad, USSR, 1985


Vologda, USSR, 1979


Viktor Krivulin, Yalta, Crimea, 1979


Moscow, USSR, 1976


Leningrad, USSR, 1980


Viktor Krivulin, Novolukoml, Byelorussian SSR, 1979


Marta, Leningrad, USSR, 1978


Nevsky Prospekt, Leningrad, USSR, 1975


Boris Smelov, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 1993


Village near lake Sevan, Armenia, 1976


Masha Ivashintsova