18 January – 18 February

From 18 January, San Stefano Gallery presents Ivan Penkov (1897–1957). One of the greatest classics of Bulgarian art from the beginning of the 20th century gained popularity with a number of monumental projects for stained glasses and mosaics. Those were created for Sofia University, Bulgarian National Bank, Ministry of Justice, Sofia Court House, Burgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as private homes.

Ivan Penkov was born in 1897 in the town of Kazanlak. He studied decorative arts in Sofia and Munich. Upon his return to Bulgaria, he had developed a much more modern state of mind, and a very well developed sense for national treasures.

Тhe artist was one of the main representatives of the popular innovation Movement of Native Art, a Bulgarian movement which started in the beginning of the 20th century. Despite all the political changes in Bulgaria, he stayed true to his modern ideas through which he rediscovered Bulgarian traditions. His works, especially the monumental, are still a model for modern classics.

Ivan Penkov’s exhibition at San Stefano Gallery lets even the new art connoisseurs to get acquainted with his multi-directional works. It will be the first time that apart from painting, black and white drawings and applied art, 40 different photographs taken by professor Penkov will be shown. The main subject in the photographs is the country life of the people living in the village of Pancharevo in the 1940’s. These photographs are as of artistic, as much as of documentary historical value.

By: Milena Georgieva, Prof.Dr.
Vernissage: 18 January 2018, from 7 to 10 pm