54. Harvester [the '30s]

Vladimir Dimitrov - The Master is one of the great figures in Bulgarian painting. He developed his mature work in the 1930s. His birth name was Vladimir Dimitrov Poppetrov, but he was called "The Master" by his colleagues even as a student because of his exceptional gift. Vladimir Dimitrov - The master creates a painting with a synthesized form and a new vision for the fine art, in which not only the subject is created, but also the way the image is constructed. Through his expressive pictorial language, built on the basis of bright color contrasts and conventionality of images, he expresses his philosophy and his understanding of the native. Through the idealized images of maidens and reapers, he reveals the strength and beauty of the Bulgarian spirit. His images and genre compositions such as harvest, wedding dance, hand-kissing, etc. become a symbol of the Bulgarian national tradition. The painting "The Reaper" is emblematic of the work of Vladimir Dimitrov - the Master. It possesses all the best qualities of his style, such as subject matter, picturesque construction, and emotional impact. The image of the tired, hardworking Bulgarian against the background of the golden grains is the essence of his entire work. The Bulgarian is harsh, but noble, dressed in the Bulgarian national dress with a cap and a yamurluk. The hair is silver, which speaks of many years of hard work. Golden ocher and peach tones remind us of the fertility and richness of our land. The sky is a soft turquoise – typical of his landscapes. This closely framed portrait is a collective image of the Bulgarian - a noble person connected to the land and caring for the family. It is placed in the center of interest of the artist. The picture "Reaper" is emblematic of the entire work of Vladimir Dimitrov. The theme of the harvest has a symbolic meaning and is repeatedly developed throughout his creative career. Similar works are "The Reaper", 1935-1938, m.b. pl., 85.5/101 cm and "Reaper from the village of Shishkovtsi", 1938, m.b. square, 74.5/64.5, "Zhatvarka", 1937-1938, m.b. sq., 100/121 cm from the collection of the National Gallery. (S.N.)

Dimensions

width 37 cm, height 30 cm

Description

oil on canvas

Research information

The artwork is classified as cultural value, according to the certificate of identification.

Dating

the '30s

PROVENANCE

Collection of Valko Gaidarov (1937-2009), first director and founder of the City Art Gallery of Smolyan (1971-2003).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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