site.btaNational Gallery to Display Works by Bistra Vinarova-Radeva in "Beyond the Portrait" Exhibition

The National Gallery and the Pygmalion Foundation will present works by Bistra Vinarova–Radeva (1890–1977) in "Beyond the Portrait” exhibition from November 7 to 30, 2025, the gallery said. The curator of the exhibition is Plamena Dimitrova–Racheva. The opening will take place on Friday, November 7, at 6 pm at The Palace, in 1 Knyaz Alexander I Square.

The exhibition showcases the portrait work of Bistra Vinarova–Radeva – one of the most refined and remarkable figures in Bulgarian modern art. The artist is recognized for her subtle psychological insight and emotional depth, going beyond the surface.

In her early work, Bistra Vinarova mastered the expressive power of form, influenced by German Expressionism and Cubism, which she absorbed during her studies in Dresden and Munich. In her works from this time, the human figure is constructed through geometrized volumes, vivid color contrasts, and psychological tension.

Over time, her art turned toward the intimate. In her compositions from the 1940s to the 1970s, particularly in her portraits of Simeon Radev, warm, earthy tones, subdued light, and inner spiritual harmony prevail. Thus, Vinarova’s art transitions from avant-garde expression to contemplative introspection – from the image as an expression of modern times to the image as a spiritual portrait.

Alongside paintings and graphic works, the exhibition also features documents, letters, and photographs from the State Archives Agency. Among them are photographs of the artist’s family – her parents, General Varban and Elisaveta (Eliza) Vinarov, as well as her brothers. Also on display are photographs from her childhood, youth, and the period when she was married to the writer, historian, and diplomat Simeon Radev.

The photographs trace her artistic presence – from the studios of photographer Ivan Karastoyanov, through portraits taken by her teachers Prof. Franz Dorsch and Prof. Hans Hofmann, to snapshots from her husband’s diplomatic missions in Washington and Paris. Among the documents, notable items include the marriage certificate of Bistra and Simeon Radev (Constantinople, 1924), and two letters from Rainer Maria Rilke and Nikos Kazantzakis, which testify to her international recognition and her spiritual kinship with prominent intellectuals of the 20th century.

“Beyond the Portrait” reveals Bistra Vinarova’s world through the faces that surrounded her – the people she painted and those who inspired her artistic vision. The exhibition shows how life transforms into art, how the image beyond the portrait tells the story of an exceptional woman who left a lasting mark on Bulgarian culture.

The project “Between Art and Memory for Bistra Vinarova and Simeon Radev” is carried out at the initiative of Mr. Emil Stoyanov, under an agreement with the National Culture Fund, with the support of the National Gallery and the State Archives Agency. The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is the media partner.