Among the remaining landscape painters who graduated from the Sofia School of Painting, Marin Georgieff occupies a distinct place. He was a pupil of Ivan Markvitchka, and his work clearly reflects the conventional style of his teacher. Georgieff has achieved notable success, especially in subjects that require careful observation and historical sensitivity. His paintings of church ruins, ancient fortresses, and the interiors of underground churches are particularly admired. In addition, his copies of old Bulgarian frescoes have helped preserve valuable examples of national art. Although his style is not highly innovative, his work is respected for its accuracy and devotion to historical themes.
Neo-Impressionist Tendencies
Another important figure is Christo Kabaktchieff, who is unique among his contemporaries because he has never studied outside Bulgaria. Despite this, he developed a modern artistic outlook and belongs to the neo-impressionist school. Kabaktchieff focuses almost entirely on colour, seeing nature primarily as a play of tones and light rather than as a collection of detailed forms. His paintings emphasize atmosphere and visual sensation, sometimes at the expense of structure, but they reveal a sincere and original way of observing the world Customized Turkey Tour.
Artists Educated Abroad
Among the landscape painters who studied abroad, Haralampy Kieff and Kazandjieff deserve mention. Kieff prefers grand and impressive scenery, often choosing vast natural views that convey strength and scale. Kazandjieff, by contrast, focuses on fields and peasants, presenting scenes of rural life with simplicity and warmth. Both artists show the influence of their foreign education, but adapt it to Bulgarian subjects.
A Promising Young Talent
The youngest and most promising artist of this group is Alexander Montafoff. Unlike many landscape painters, Montafoff rarely chooses bright or joyful themes. His works are often inspired by a melancholic mood, which gives them emotional depth. Over time, he has been influenced by several European masters, including Böcklin, Graf von Kalkreuth, Max Liebermann, and Segantini.
Artistic Independence
These foreign influences, however, were only temporary. After returning to Bulgaria, Montafoff gradually freed himself from them and developed a strong personal style. In the works he exhibited at the Second Southern Slav Art Exhibition, he appeared as an independent artist, both in subject matter and technique. His landscapes show originality, maturity, and great promise for the future of Bulgarian art.