Dimitar Zograf
Zograf (surname) • Illustration — Dimitar Zograf as portrayed by his son Stanislav Dospevski Dimitar Hristov, better known as Dimitar Zograf (Димитър Зограф) (1796–1860), was a noted 19th-century Bulgarian painter known for his icons. Dimitar Zograf was born in Samokov to the family of Hristo Dimitrov, the founder of the Samokov iconographic school, Dimitar was the elder brother of the better-known painter Zahari Zograf. Dimitar was taught iconography by his father in his workshop and by his father's death in 1819 he was already an accomplished painter, taking the leadership of his father's workshop and often working for the same monasteries and architects as his father.
Also recorded as Dimitar Hristov
Dimitar Zograf
Stanislav Dospevski · Scanned from "Samokov", edition of Samokov Municipal Council, 1989 · Public domain
- Born
- 1796 · Samokov.
- Died
- 1860 · Samokov.
- Nationality
- Ottoman Empire
- Occupation
- painter · iconographer · artist
- Fields
- icon
- Movements
- Samokov art school
- Languages
- Bulgarian
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Documentary summary
Zograf (surname) • Illustration — Dimitar Zograf as portrayed by his son Stanislav Dospevski Dimitar Hristov, better known as Dimitar Zograf (Димитър Зограф) (1796–1860), was a noted 19th-century Bulgarian painter known for his icons. Dimitar Zograf was born in Samokov to the family of Hristo Dimitrov, the founder of the Samokov iconographic school, Dimitar was the elder brother of the better-known painter Zahari Zograf. Dimitar was taught iconography by his father in his workshop and by his father's death in 1819 he was already an accomplished painter, taking the leadership of his father's workshop and often working for the same monasteries and architects as his father.
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wikidata · Q3657670 · wikipedia · Dimitar Zograf
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Identity and origins
Identity and origins
Dimitar educated his younger brother and practically assumed the role of a father for Zahari until about 1830. In 1831, a note evidences that the two brothers worked as almost equal. In 1822 Dimitar Zograf married Hristiyaniya and had seven children, four of whom also became icon painters. The best known of them is Stanislav Dospevski. Unlike his brother Zahari, Dimitar did not sign his works, but they are not difficult to identify because of their unrivalled quality in the period. Together with Zahari he decorated the main church of the Rila Monastery, the largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria.
The authorities additionally record the heading Dimitar Hristov. His recorded language was Bulgarian. He was the child of Hristo Dimitrov. One child is recorded: Stanislav Dospevski.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1796
Dimitar Zograf born at Samokov.
1860
Dimitar Zograf died at Samokov.
Primary material
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reference work
- “Dimitar Zograf”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q3657670: Dimitar Zograf
General reference · Wikidata
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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- Dimitrije PopovićArtist
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