86. Bellflowers and daffodils [1948]

The painting "Bells and Daffodils" is emblematic of Bencho Obreshkov's style. The genre of still life is one of the most preferred by the artist. Throughout his creative career, he creates still lifes in which he solves various plastic tasks, and the main objects in them are vases with flowers, fruits and fish, placed in an interior space. The painting was bought by the author in the 1960s from the famous writer Lada Galina, with whom he had a long-standing friendship. In 1965, Bencho Obreshkov painted a representative "Portrait of the Poet Lada Galina" from nature, which is one of the highest achievements in his overall work. The 40s were a turning point for Bulgaria and for the personal destiny of artists. Some of the hallmarks of the 1930s are still valid in painting, and in particular the influence of expressionism and the new objectivity. "Bells and Daffodils" was created after Bencho Obreshkov's return from a creative business trip to Romania in 1946. The paintings created during this time were shown in the Bulgarian-Romanian exhibition in Bucharest and Sofia in 1947. After this visit, the color in his paintings became more dense and saturated . The artist confidently enters the mature period of his work. In 1948, Bencho Obreshkov painted the remarkable "Still Life with a Glass Vase", executed entirely in the spirit of painting from the 1930s. The color is expressive, the brushwork is free and bold, the still life is placed in an interior space hinted at by the colorful curtain. The flowers are springy, fresh and unpretentious - probably freesias in white, yellow and pink. The vase is transparent glass, in a typical Art Nouveau style in the form of a tulip with a round seat. The same glass vase is also present in a work painted the following year - "Vase with Flowers", 1949, oil on canvas, 45x37 cm. The motif with the flower curtain in the right part of the canvas also appears in another earlier still life - " Flowers", 1945, oil paints, canvas, 55.5 x 46 cm from the collection of the National Gallery, Sofia. The drapery ornaments are the most artistic part of the canvas. Dynamic brushstrokes in ultramarine, white and green applied with bold brush strokes are positioned vertically on a tile-ochre fabric. The interior space is immersed in the same tone as the general background in the room is conditioned and alive. It envelops and unites the entire composition in a rich and noble harmony of local tile and golden tones. The overall impact of the work is dynamic, modern and emotionally charged. The painting took part in a large-scale retrospective exhibition of Bencho Obreshkov, on the occasion of one hundred and ten years since his birth, at the National Gallery - Palace from April 23 to May 24, 2009. It was published in the catalog accompanying the exhibition and in Kiril Krastev's monography from 1982. (S.N.)

References

Domuschieva-Todorova, Z. The man and the artist Bencho Obreshkov. Memories. S. 2009._x000D_ Ivanova, S., Bistra Rangelova. Bencho Obreshkov (1899-1970). National Gallery,_x000D_ Bozhkov, At. Bulgarian fine art. S., 1988_x000D_ Krastev, K.. Bencho Obreshkov. S., 1982._x000D_ Ivanov, B. Bencho Obreshkov. S., 1964_x000D_ Mavrodinov, N. The new Bulgarian painting. S., 1947_x000D_

Dimensions

width 43 cm, height 51 cm, custom 51 × 43 cm

Description

oil on cardboard, signed and dated bottom right, in black, "Б. Обрешков, 1948"

Research information

The artwork is reproduced in the monography Krastev, Kiril (1982). Bencho Obreshkov. Sofia: ed. Bulgarian Artist, p. 230/231, No. 457, under the title "Still Life - Glass Vase", dated 1948

Dating

1948

PROVENANCE

personally gifted by the artist to the respected writer Lada Galina

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For clarifications regarding the bidding procedure, hammer price costs, guarantee, payment, and collection terms for the winning lot, we recommend carefully reading/re-reading the Bidding Regulations.

For additional information regarding the lot and the auction, please contact the Art Consultants Department.