The clear success of the various art exhibitions held in Bulgaria, together with the growing number of orders given by civil and church authorities, shows that Bulgarian artists have little reason to complain about a lack of public interest in the fine arts. Public opinion has not been indifferent to artistic work. On the contrary, interest has slowly but surely increased.
It must also be said that some exhibitions and many commissioned works did not fully deserve even the moderate expectations of the public. Artistic taste in Bulgaria was still developing, and it was not yet refined or exact. Even so, the public supported exhibitions and artistic projects with goodwill and curiosity. This proves that the general attitude toward art was encouraging, even if critical judgment was still in its early stages Bulgaria Holidays.
Imitation and Foreign Influence
The Situation After Liberation
In the first years after the liberation of the Principality of Bulgaria, foreign artists invited to the country, as well as Bulgarian artists trained in European academies, found that there was no established national art that could meet the needs of the new era. Modern artistic traditions were almost entirely absent.
However, what Bulgaria lacked in institutions and traditions, it more than made up for in inspiration and subject matter. The country presented artists with scenes and themes that were fresh, powerful, and largely untouched by modern life.
Landscape, Legend, and Memory
Artists discovered wild and romantic landscapes, especially in the mountains, valleys, and forests. In popular imagination, these places were still filled with mythical creatures and legendary heroes. Their stories survived in folklore, legends, and national songs that had not yet been changed by modern influences.
The memories of the revolutionary period were also vivid. The struggle against national oppression was still fresh in people’s minds, providing dramatic and emotional subjects for painting and sculpture.
Architecture, Ruins, and National Types
The towns and villages of Bulgaria offered original and striking architecture. Old houses, churches, bridges, and fortifications attracted artists with their unusual forms and rich decorative details. Across the country stood the ruins of ancient churches and fortresses, slowly destroyed by time and neglect, yet full of historical meaning.
Equally attractive were the many national and ethnic types found in Bulgaria. Artists could observe Bulgarians, Turks, Gypsies, and other Oriental peoples, each wearing distinctive and colorful costumes. These figures added life, movement, and character to artistic compositions.
A Country Rich in Artistic Material
When all these elements are considered together—nature, legend, history, architecture, ruins, and living traditions—it becomes clear that Bulgaria offered an exceptional wealth of material for artistic creation. The challenge for artists was not a lack of subjects, but how to transform this richness into a mature and original national art.