An exhibition at “Square 500” presents previously unseen works by Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora

An exhibition in the national gallery "Square 500" in Sofia presents previously unseen works related to the image of Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora (the Master). A rich collection of self-portraits and portraits tells much about the exceptional artist and his profound influence on dozens of Bulgarian artists.

The image of the Master inspires in the same way his paintings do. You can stare into his eyes for hours, trying to guess what lurks in his soul. He often painted self-portraits of himself. Some of the most famous Bulgarian artists depict him.

"He himself tells stories as if taken out of a saint's hagiography. So he himself builds this image - of a man not of this world. At the same time, for me, his true image is a dramatic, tragic character and soul, and this can be seen very clearly in the portraits and self-portraits," said Ivo Milev, curator of the exhibition.

The background of the self-portraits is as important as the image of the artist himself, because it later comes to the fore in his paintings.

"In the self-portrait and in the self-portraits of the 1920s was born this, let's call it conditionally, scheme that we will later recognize in his art - with his madonnas in the foreground, decorative background. With this he becomes recognizable and typical, but this is really born in the self-portrait," said Ivo Milev, curator of the exhibition.

140 years after Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora's birth, his messages are still relevant.

"What he died with, having lived through several wars, is the desire for peace on the planet," said Ivo Milev, curator of the exhibition.

More than 25 galleries, museums and collectors have joined forces to prepare the exhibition. And the artist's image comes to life in unique film footage that the public willl see for the first time.

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Vladimir Dimitrov – Maistora (The Master) (1882 – 1960) is one of the most renowned Bulgarian artists. His specific style cannot be mistaken – his paintings are exceptionally impressive with their vivid colours and unique painting style.

The artist was born in the Kyustendil village of Frolosh in 1882. The local people noticed his incredible talent and helped him go and study in the Arts School (currently an academy) in Sofia. His first exhibition was opened on 21 May 1903 in the hall of the Regional Court in Kyustendil, when he was 21 years old and at the time worked as a clerk in court. In 1923, the Master settled in the village of Shishkovtsi, where he stayed for about 30 years, and a group of talented Bulgarian artists gathered around him – Boris Eliseev, Nikolay Dyulgerov, Kiril Tsonev, etc. A large part of his paintings were portraits and landscapes. Nature occupies a central place in the canvases of the Master, where he portrays it with wide strokes and hues of colour close in tone.

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