Hello

Writing on the backside right in english shows "Boyana" gifting the painting to "Dora" in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1965.

Writing on the backside left is likely Russian .One russian says the words transliterate to (artist "fedor khristov"). A second russian says "todor christov". The second translated the signature on the front as "hristov" but was not sure of the whole signature. Both saw only digital images on a PC.

I tried using old russian script and bulgarian to english transliteration tables. I believe "todor" is more likely than "fedor". The symbol that looks like an "M" in the first part of the name on the back looks like the uppercase of the lowercase "m" symbol in the second part and both ought transliterate to the same letter probably "T". I favored "ch" over the russian "kh" because... Bulgaria?

Clearly I am new and naïve at this. Searches on the internet and use of resources gleaned from this forum and other museum/gallery sites lead me to suppose "christov todorov"- a Bulgarian painter. I could not find a signature to compare nor other works. Search terms in various combinations included: fodor... todor.. todorov.. christov... christo... hristov... khristov... skitnik.. .

My next virtual stop may be the Sofia Art Gallery.

The painting is on a board (plywood perhaps), is economically framed, not large, and appears painted quickly but with confidence. You can see the wood grain especially about the signature in the lower right corner. My guess dates the painting well before world war 2, maybe the 1920s.

Can someone help with the signature on the painting or otherwise identify the artist? Attached are the framed painting placed on a kitchen table, a closeup of the signature on the painting, and a closeup of the writing on the back.

The painting passed from the estate of "Dora" to her son, now also deceased, and then to his widow. "Dora" was married to a known russian ballet dancer who danced with V. Nijinski and B. Nijinska.

Thank you for reading this post. Please help if you can.

It says "Artist: Todor Hristov".
I hope this helps.

Hi
Thanks for your response. I don't think I'm at the end of the search yet, but Todor Hristov is in the right direction. I have to separate the former ruler of Bulgaria from other revolutionaries in the WWII era who were painters. Thanks again.

That's a really cool painting. Its bulgarian. Workers in the field, making square hay bales, most likely singing songs. They`d do that all day... its really tiring.

I know this probably isn't useful but I thought it was interesting that I came across this name when searching. I know this guy is too young but still thought it was weird or funny.
:: Boyan - Home ::

An update for the work... I am the poster. Igot a professional evaluation of the painting- 2000USD but probably worth more if the artist can be positively identified.The professional provided some more transliterations from the (probable) russian, including "christophe'. So it goes.

Side note to thatcomedian : I watch the forum thread about the small oil painting posted by WA... CH. I think I can telll you where the artist mark is.