Zahari Zograf

A spiritual student of Neophyte of Rila since 1827, he became an equal partner of his brother at the age of 21 in 1831, i.e. he was proclaimed a master. His best known icons are those of the SS Constantine and Helen Church in Plovdiv, the Church of the Theotokos in Koprivshtitsa, as well as a number of monasteries. Best known frescoes are those in the main church of the Rila Monastery, in the chapel and the St Nicholas church of the Bachkovo Monastery, the Troyan Monastery and the Monastery of the Transfiguration. He painted three mural portraits of himself in the latter three, a move that was regarded as controversial during the time. Zograf lived and worked on Mount Athos between 1851 and 1852, where he decorated the outer narthex of the Great Lavra. He also did several church donor portraits in his later years, also leaving a large number of unrealized sketches after his death from typhus on 14 June 1853. • Illustration — The circle of life, Transfiguration Monastery, Veliko Tarnovo • Illustration — Mary with the young Jesus, church Archangel, Bachkovo Monastery • Illustration — Рortrait of Neofit Rilski (1838), National Art Gallery, Sofia • Illustration — Saints Cyril and Methodius (1848), Troyan Monastery

The authorities additionally record the headings Zakhary Khristovich Zograph, Zakharii Khristov, Zakhariia Khristovich Zhivopisets, Zakhary Khristovich Dimitrov and Zakhariia Khristovich. His recorded language was Bulgarian. He was the child of Hristo Dimitrov.