66. Sketch for the Legend of the Holy Mountain [1926]

In his work, the artist Ivan Milev is strongly influenced by the symbolist-secessionist aesthetics, decorativeness and interests in Bulgarian folklore and traditions. Milev, although with a short life path of only 30 years, remains a rich legacy that clearly represents his main artistic pursuits. Born in the city of Kazanlak, where artists such as Boris Mihailov, Dechko Uzunov, Nenko Balkanski and others began their life's journey, Ivan Milev developed his creative potential even before his studies at the Drawing School in Sofia. He mainly painted watercolor landscapes, but he also developed his interests in the artistic layout of theatrical performances, which were strongly advocated later in his life. Milev also held solo exhibitions as early as the 1920s, one of the most interesting of which was opened in a pavilion in the Boris Garden in Sofia, where he showed the works we know today such as "After the Rain" and "Insomnia". Prof. Stefan Badzhov played a significant role in his formation as an artist, with whom he studied in the Decorative Department of the Painting School from the fall of 1920. Ivan Milev made numerous covers of books, magazines, as well as scenography, in which the influences of the Secession and its decorativeness are evident. His joining the "Native Art" Association stimulated Milev's relationship with folk culture, myths and legends. In 1926, in his first exhibition with the Society, the artist presented the paintings "Mother of God" and "Legend of Svetogorsk". The latter tells the legend about the Mother of God, who, together with little John, sailed by ship to the island of Cyprus to see Christ's miracle of the Risen Lazarus. Their ship gets caught in a storm and the excitement carries them towards the Holy Mountain. The preparatory sketch for the "Legend of Svetogorska" offered at the auction presents the creative process of Milev, who is looking for different compositions and images. In the decorative artistic approach, the structural rhythm is leading and through his sketches, the artist manages to develop his various ideas. The preparatory drawing is a great way for the viewer to immerse themselves and get to know the artist's universe up close. The sketch for "Legend of Svetogorsk" is one of Ivan Milev's last drawings before his death. (A.M.) Marinska, Ruza. (1997), Catalog for the exhibition "100 years since the birth of the artist Ivan Milev", Sofia, NHA

References

Маринска, Ружа. (1997), Каталог към изложбата „100 години от рождението на художника Иван Милев", София, НХА

Dimensions

width 43 cm, height 31.5 cm

Description

pencil on paper

Research information

The artwork is reproduced in the catalog "Ivan Milev 1897-1997", Marinska, Ruzha; NHH, 1997, p. 77, cat. 166, with the title "Sketch for the Legend of Svetogorska"

Dating

1926

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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