Dobri Dobrev (1898 Sliven/Bulgaria - 1973 Sofia) Market Day in Sliven An early, large-format, realist masterpiece painted in light, pastel colours by Dobrev, in whose oeuvre the markets and landscapes of his home town are among his favourite motifs. The important Bulgarian painter studied at the Academy in Prague, where he graduated with honours and an honorary diploma in 1925. Until 1936 (or 1938?), he spent most of his time living and working in Czechoslovakia, from where he travelled to Paris and many other European cities. He then returned to Sliven before moving to Sofia in 1954, where he taught at the art academy until 1964. In 1941, Dobrev was represented with a "Market Scene" at an exhibition of Bulgarian artists in Berlin, and in 1942 he took part in the 23rd International Biennale in Venice. In 2019, a major retrospective was held at the National Gallery in Sofia to mark the 120th anniversary of Dobrev's birth. Oil on canvas; signed and dated lower left. 1936. verso signed again a. inscribed by the artist with the location "Dobri Dobrev (/) Sliven. Bulgaria. (/) 1936". 100 cm x 138 cm. Frame. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated 1936. Further signed and inscribed by the artist with location "Sliven. Bulgariae".