This year is the 130th birth anniversary of great Bulgarian artist Vladimir Dimitrov Maistora (The Master). Endowed with a rare talent and sensitivity he recreated the eternal Bulgarian themes and virtues, the beauty of centuries-long traditions. It is not accidental that his impressive monument displaying his tall figure with a biblical beard, stands outside the premises of the Union of Bulgarian Artists in Sofia. Maistora is perceived as an embodiment of the mysticism, toils and joys of art, and of the full dedication of the artist to his work.

The parents of Vladimir Dimitrov were Bulgarians from Macedonia who moved to Bulgaria following the country’s liberation from five centuries of Ottoman rule. His grandfather was a priest. His was a poor family, so Vladimir had to work from an early age. From 1898 till 1903 he worked as scrivener at the Regional Court of Justice in Kyustendil, Western Bulgaria. The jurists noticed that the young man was filling various papers and notebooks with incredible drawings, and even organized his first exhibition. After that with financial support from Kyustendil citizens, the talented man went to the State School of Painting, today the National Academy of Arts in Sofia. He studied there with great inspiration and joined various contests that he invariably won. It was then that students used to call him The Master (Maistora). After graduation Vladimir Dimitrov took a job as a writing master at the Trade College in Svishtov, Northern Bulgaria. He also worked as military artist during three wars – the two Balkan ones (1912-13) and the First World War. He painted military marches, battles, as well as injured and dead soldiers.

© Photo: archive

Payer

Even before the wars Maistora visited Moscow, St. Petersburg, Venice, Florence, Rome, Paris, London, Berlin and other European cities. Similar to other great Bulgarian artists he studied the masterpieces of European art. In the early 1920s he traveled again, and displayed 21 works at an exhibition of artists from Rome. American collector John Crain was impressed with the talent of the Bulgarian and signed a contract with him. In exchange for a monthly rent, paid by the American in the course of four years, Vladimir Dimitrov painted for his sponsor more than 200 works. In 1924 he visited New York for a couple of months. Later he worked in Istanbul and in Syracuse.

© Photo: Veneta Pavlova

Istanbul

Close to 27 years from his life – until 1951 – the artist spent in the village of Shishkovtsi, Western Bulgaria. He once said, “If there is an earthly paradise, this is the area of Kyustendil, and its center is the village of Shishkovtsi”. It is there that he created his incredible gallery of portraits and landscapes that have captured the classical images of Bulgarian village communities – with the field work, holidays and rituals. His works recreate – as if performing an ancient rite – the reapers carrying bundles of wheat sheaves, and the hoers going to the fertile land. His paintings portray children, dignified old men, beautiful girls and young women set against backgrounds shining with ripe apples, pears, grapes and poppies. “I go to nature just like pilgrims embarks on the road to holy places. Am I to blame that it is so breathtakingly beautiful?”, he once said. His female portraits are truly remarkable – they display versions of the Bulgarian Madonna marked with purity and harmony.

© Photo: BGNES

“Maistora – during his lifetime – and unlike any other Bulgarian artist, acquired the status of a classic, an acknowledgement that is normally given to deceased artists”, art historian Charvdar Popov says. And adds: “His exceptional importance in the development of Bulgarian art is indisputable, though he has not been spared the controversy of reviews and audience reception. The dimensions of Vladimir Dimitrov Maistora’s works however go further beyond regional relevance. His art is on par with the greatest achievements of 20 c. It lacks in international recognition due to that Bulgarian art is generally little known abroad.”

Vladimir Dimitrov Maistora died in 1960 in Sofia. His paintings are among the priceless possessions of galleries in the capital city and across the country.

Translated by Daniela Konstantinova