"Belikov Vasilij Matveevich (1921-1994) - the member of the USSR Union of Artists, participant of many exhibitions. His pictures are present in Penza Picture Gallery and also are represented in many of departments and in private collections in Russia and abroad. His name is included into structure of "World Biographical Dictionary of Artists" (Saur Verlag GmbH & Co, Redaktion AKL, Leipzig, Germany; Volume 8). He is also listed in the book "A Dictionary of Twentieth Century Russian and Soviet Painters" by Matthew Cullerne Brown (published 1998).

Born in Svishchevka, Tambov Province, Russia in 1921. Studied at the Astrakhan Art School between 1938 and 1941. Served in the armed forces as a sailor between 1941 and 1947 and participated in the Second World War. After leaving the navy he continued his studies at the Penza Art School between 1947 and 1950. Upon finishing art school he worked for the Penza branch of the Art Fund of Russia during which time he became their director. At the age of 40 he fell ill with tuberculosis, struggled against the illness for several years and eventually overcame it. Since then he devoted himself to his art. He regulary attended summer residence for creative art "Akademicheskaya" where he became acquainted with many of the leading artists of the country. In 1975 he was accepted into the USSR Union of Artists. His main creative expression was through landscape painting and to a lesser degree, still life and portraits