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| Ivan Milev pictured on the Bulgarian 5 Leva note |
The Bulgarian 5 Leva note has a picture of Ivan Milev. He was
born just before the turn of the 20th century in Kazanlak, Bulgaria
in the Valley of the Roses. He lived a
short life even for the time. He died 22
days before his 30th birthday.
Yet he was gifted artist, and his art is a significant part of Bulgarian culture
today.
In researching this article, I looked at a several of his
paintings. They have a distinct
Bulgarian feel to them. They remind me
of works of art I have seen in other parts of the country.
This picture in specific caught my attention. In English its title is “Our Mothers are
Always Dressed in Black.” It was painted
in 1926, and considering the times, it would not be surprising that many
mothers would have been dressed in black.
Black is the traditional color of mourning. It is a fading tradition, but you still see
the occasional older widow walking around wearing all black. It makes sense that in the 20’s there would
have been a lot of mourning women. This was shortly after World War I, which began not too far from here on the Balkan Peninsula. There would have been many dead sons and fathers. Thus, many mothers during Ivan’s
time that would have worn nothing but black.
It is a picture of sorrow and loss that truly a picture that speaks 1000 words.
