Mrkvička created the most outstanding portraits of the epoch, while his endeavours in the spheres of historical composition and landscape undoubtedly exerted an influence on the future development of art. As a founder member and long standing director, and a professor, at our Academy of Arts, Mrkvička contributed to the education of the first generations of Bulgarian artists. He lived and worked in Bulgaria during an exceedingly eventful time of creativity, of clashes, of views and proclaimed aesthetic ideals, of artistic discoveries and plastic compromises. His talent and contribution to the development of our painting as a