Matvey Levenzon was a versatile sculptor and performer whose creative energy significantly shaped the visual and cultural atmosphere of Chisinau. A graduate of the Repin Art School (1971), Levenzon was a master of the bronze bas-relief, known for his ability to capture the essence of character in public monuments. His most celebrated contribution to the cityscape of Chisinau is the memorial bas-relief dedicated to the legendary violinist and composer Serghei Lunchevici—a work that remains a key cultural landmark in the capital.
Beyond his studio practice, Levenzon possessed a remarkable theatrical talent. He was a multi-faceted performer, working with the "Circus on Stage" troupe in Chisinau as a juggler, equilibrist, and clown. This physical understanding of balance and movement translated into his sculptural work and led him to a successful secondary career in cinema. He appeared in several notable films, including Tango Over the Abyss, The Return of the Titanic, and Achilles' Heel, showcasing a creative range that bridged the gap between fine art and the performing arts.
A long-standing member of the Union of Artists since 1983, Levenzon’s contributions were formally recognized in 2001, when he received a prestigious award for his significant impact on the development of art in Moldova. His work was not confined to regional borders; as a member of the Union of Artists of Germany in his later years, he continued to represent the Bessarabian sculptural tradition in a European context. Today, his sculptures are held in national museums across Moldova, Russia, and Romania.
For the last two decades of his life, Matvey Levenzon lived and worked in Germany, where he continued his artistic journey until his passing after a long illness. He is remembered as a rare "Renaissance man" of the 20th century—an artist who found harmony between the stillness of sculpture, the thrill of the circus, and the narrative power of the screen.
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