1953 Valentin Kovatchev was born into a family of jurists and diplomats in Sophia, on 16 April. From his earliest years he showed a special interest in music an the fine arts, being remarkable his earliest drawing portraits of historical personages as Erasmus of Rotterdam, Lenin, Garibaldi, Pushkin, since he was only ten years old. Following his fifteenth birthday, led to his enrollment in Sophia’s Lyceum of Fine Arts.
1968-72 Course of studies in Lyceum of Fine Arts, Sophia.
1972-74 Military service in Bulgaria.
1974-75 Studied Languages and glass design in Prague.
1975-81 Graduated in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Sophia, specializing in engraving.
1982-88 Worked as painter and engraver in the art department of the Ministry of Defence in Sophia and gave courses in drawing and engraving in his own art studio.
1986 Came first for the Army Painting Prize, Sophia.
1987 Took part in “Intergraphik’87”, Triennial Graphic International in Berlin.
1988 Participated in the Graphic Biennials of Tuzla (Yugoslavia) and Lodz (Poland).
1989 Undertook the “Suite Hermann Hesse”, inspired by the German writer and composed of nine etchings and the “Suite From Birds and Men”, inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci and composed of five etchings. Started his “Erosion” series, which consists of seventeen etchings of Byzantine icons. Graphic Biennials of Ljubljana (Yugoslavia) and Varna and Plovdiv (Bulgaria). Exhibitions in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Holland.
1990 Abandoned paintings in order to devote himself full-time to his own etching technique, a technique he himself was to invent after many years of research and which exercised such a fascination on the artist, as happened with the great masters, like Rembrandt, Dürer, Goya and Picasso, among others. Began a lengthy tour with his own exhibitions covering many countries, including Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Russia, Hungary, Belgium, Holland, Luxemboufg, France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Participated in the Graphic Triennials of Kochi (Japan) and Freshen (Germany), being finalist in both.
1991 Won first prize in the “II International Biennial of Graphic Art”, Athens, as well as being a prize-winner in the “IV International Biennial of Graphic Art” in Wakayama, Japan. Exhibitions in Washington, London, Rome, Vienna, Hamburg, Munich, Brussels and Humboldt University in Berlin.
1992 Finished the “Erosion” series. Participated in EXPO’92 in Seville, at the Bulgarian Pavilion. Exhibitions in Vienna, Brussels, Rome and Capodimonte, this last being where he met his present wife, Rosario Escobar Segovia. Moved his home to Torremolinos (Malaga).
1993 Competed in the “I National Engraving Prize” of the Madrid National Chalcography as well as in the “I Graphic Biennial” in Maastricht. He emerged as finalist in both contests. Participated with his series “Erosion” and “Anatomy of the Wild Bull” in the first exhibition of ESTAMPA (International Salon of Contemporary Engraving) in Madrid, an event that will be required in all later ESTAMPA exhibitions.
1994 Exhibition in the Goya Museum of Engraving, and for the first time in Spain he directed an engraving course, which inaugurated the Workshop of the Goya Museum. Honourable Mention in the XLIII Autumn Salon of Seville, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of St. Elisabeth of Hungary participated in STAMPA.
1995 Was nominated Academician Correspondent in Malaga for the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of St. Elisabeth of Hungary, Seville. Received the “British Institute Prize” in the LIV Autumn Salon, organized by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Obtained First Prize in the “Andalusian Fine Arts Contest” of the Sevilla Athenaeum. Exhibition in Berlin. Participated in the first SIAC (International Art Fair) in Strabourg, as well as in ARTESANTANDER and ESTAMPA. Obtained First Prize in the “VII City of Burgos Engraving Competition”, Spain.
1996 Was nominated Academician of the Senate by the International Academy of Modern Art of Rome. Obtained the Goya Silver Medal, representing Spain, in the “X Biennial of Iberoamerican Art”, held in Mexico City D.F. Gave his first lecture to the Royal Academy of Fine arts of St. Elisabeth of Hungary, under the title “Goya, Genius of Engraving”, so joining in the homage being paid this year to Goya on the 250th anniversary of the birth of this painter of genius. Exhibition of Homage to Goya by the Academicians of St. Elisabeth of Hungary in the Royal Palaces of Seville, where he presented the “Andalusian Spiritual Suite”. Exhibition “Bulgarians Abroad”, Foundation Kyril and Methodio, National Gallery, Sophia, This same year he turned again to drawing, a technique which, along with painting, he had put to one side for a very long time, owing, on the one hand, to the artist’s personal need to express himself through the medium of engraving and, on the other, to the extraordinary recognition given to his graphic work and the high demand for exhibitions throughout the world. Obtain the First Prize for Drawing in the “I Bulls and Holidays Contest” held by Madrid City Council. Participated in the “63 Madrid Autumn Salon”, where he obtained First Prize for Engraving. He also participated in ARTESANTANDER, ARTEXPO, INTERART, ESTAMPA and in the “Eleventh German International Graphic Triennial”, in Frechen, where he was finalist.
1997 Undertook his first exhibition in the Hermann Hesse Museum, Calw (Germany), native city of the illustrious writer, and another exhibition in Bochum. Exhibition of homage to Manolete in Malaga, Cordoba and Santander. Presentation of the award-winning work in the Biennial of Iberoamerican Art and of the “Manolete Suite” in ESTAMPA, in the presence of the Princess Kalina of Bulgaria and the ambassadors of Mexico and the Republic of Bulgaria. Third Medal in the “64 Madrid Autumn Salon”. Participated in ART MULTIPLE DÜSSELDORF (International Engraving Fair), INTERNATIONAL KUNSTMESSE (International Engraving Fair), in Innsbruck and in ALMONEDA (Antiquities Fair and Art Galleries) of Madrid, where he will have a regular presence in future staging of this event.
1998 Moved his residence to Benalmadena (Malaga), where he directs his own art studio, with courses in drawing, painting and engraving, as well as the workshop for printing graphic work. Exhibitions in the Koblenz Chamber of Commerce and in the German cities of Calw (Hesse Museum) and Frankfurt (Buchmesse). Undertook the engraving “Spiritual Andalusia, Virgin of Hope”, in order to commemorate the X Anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of the Virgin, Malaga. Participated in ESTAMPA, where he presented the previous engraving, among other works, as well as in INTERART, ALMONEDA and the ROME FAIR. Invited by the Caixa Ourense to participate in the “V International Engraving Biennial”, in Ourense. Received his first commission for a family portrait of the Limburger family (Berlin).
1999 Obtained Spanish citizenship. Awarded First Prize in the “IX Gregorio Prieto National Drawing Contest” in Valdepeñas. First Prize in the “I Felipe Orlando National Drawing Contest” in Benalmaden; and was finalist for the “Penagos Drawing Prize” in Madrid. Exhibition “For Peace” in the Hermann Hesse Museum, in Calw. Participated in the Frankfurt Buchmesse, ESTAMPA and ALMONEDA, where he presented the “Suite The Pilgrims Route to Santiago”. Undertook the engraving “Obradoiro” as a commission form the multinational Volkswagen. Exhibition of Bulgarian Art in the City Museum, Madrid, related to the official invitation of their Majesties the King and the Queen of Spain to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Peter Stoyanov. Participated with the “Suite Manolete” and the Series “Anathomy of the Will Bull” in the traveling exhibition “Bullfighting Arts, Bull and Bullfighters”, organised by the Caixa Galicia Foundation, including works by Picasso, Caballero, Guinovart, Muñoz, Barjola, Hernandez and others. Portraits commissioned by the Bargel family (Stuttgart) and portraits of the Valenti and Porras families (Madrid).
2000 Exhibitions in London, Helsinki and the Valdepeñas Museum. Participated in ARTEBA (Buenos Aires), FIAC CHILE (Viña del Mar), ALMONEDA and ESTAMPA, where he presented the “Suite Bacchus”. Portraits commissioned by the Christensen family (Copenhagen) and the Sandholzer family (Winterthur).
2001 Returned to painting so as to mark exhibition tribute which Malaga presented to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the universally famous Malaga artist, Pablo Ruiz Picasso. From this year onward his techniques of engraving, drawing and painting were combined in all his creations. Directed an engraving course in the CIEC Foundation (International Centre of Contemporary Print), Betanzos. Participated in the Europ’Art Gèneve, ALMONEDA and ESTAMPA, where he presented the “Suite Picasso”.
2002 Exhibition in homage to Hermann Hesse to mark the 125th anniversary of his birth in the German cities of Calw and Bad Liebenzell. Participated in ARTESEVILLA, DEARTE, ALMONEDA and ESTAMPA, where he presented the “Suite Hesse”.
2003 Presentation of the series of oils entitled “Chess” in ALMONEDA and of the “Suite Horses and Daydreams” composed of five etchings in ESTAMPA.
2004 Participated in DEARTE, ALMONEDA and in the “XVII Maximo Ramos Engraving Prize”, Ferrol, emerging as finalist. Directed a Master of Engraving class in the CIEC Foundation. Exhibition of homage to Dali, commemorating the centenary of his birth in the Rectorate Showroom of the University of Malaga. This exposition brings together the three unpublished works which include portraits to the Ampurdanian artist-genius and other compositions undertaken this year; the second part is called “Surrealism in the Work of Kovatchev”, with a selection of works that cover the period from 1983 to 2003, in which is shown the spectacular change with the artist experienced by his move to Sophia to Malaga, as well as the surrealist influence covering in his Bulgarian as well as Spanish production and already latent from his earliest artistic beginnings. Presented in ESTAMPA the “Suite Dali”, composed of six etchings and fifteen drawings.
2005 In this speacial year that commemorates the publication of “Don Quixote of la Mancha” (1605-2005), the artist has seen another of his dreams come true, which he has already done with Hesse, Leonardo, Manolete, Picasso and Dali; that is, through his singular creations, he has interpreted and given life to the most universal work of Spanish literature and one of the most admirable creations of the human spirit. This project is named “Don Quixote with a Bulgarian soul. Homage to the figure of King Simeon of Bulgaria”, to whom the artist renders, with sincere respect, a heartfelt tribute to the figure of King Simeon for uniting the human and spiritual qualities which Cervantes defended for hundred years ago. This exhibition will be presented in different cities: Madrid, Seville, Leon, Malaga, Barcelona among others.
2006 On the occasion of the “Nineteenth City of Leon Chess Tournament”, the artist will present a new collection of works, in the exhibition hall of the Castile and Leon Regional Council, under the title “Cosmic Chess”, which will complement the project “Don Quixote with a Bulgarian Soul”. Presentation of the series “Suite Tavromagia”, composed of five etchings and inspired on the Greek Mythology in ESTAMPA.
2007 Presentation of the series of oils entitled “The Thracian Horses” in ALMONEDA. Others portraits commissioned by the Sandholzer family (Winterthur), the Martinez-Lopez family (Madrid) and the Arias-Escobar family (Madrid). “Retrospective Exhibition, 1959-2007” at the Benalmadena Arts Centre, which will show the artist’s works since he was six years old. Presentation of the unpublished graphic works by the different techniques of dry point, woodcut, lithography, etchings and mezzotint, dated between 1976 and 1986.
2008 Presentation of the series of drawings entitled “Las Medians” in ALMONEDA, Madrid, and MARB ART, Marbella.
2009 On the fiftieth anniversary of his career, Kovatchev is presenting the “Retrospective Exhibition 1959-2009” in the Museum of the Royal House of Money in Madrid, which shows the range of the artist, since early as six years old, in his magnificent compilation which brings together one hundred and fifty works-drawings, engravings, oil paintings and matrix engravings plates. To mark the IV Centenary of the blessing of the image of Jesus Nazareno del Paso in the city of Malaga, its Royal Archicofraternity has commissioned an engraving to commemorate the historical event. The artist makes a drawing and an engraving, which will be presented in the “Retrospective Exhibition 1959-2009” that is to take place in Malaga. Afterwards, the same exhibition will be staged in the Cortijo Miraflores Museum in Marbella. “The Great Masters of Contemporary Engraving” is an international exhibition Organized by the Embassy of Spain in Colombia, which will be staged in the Catholic Kings Cultural Centre and in the National Museum of Colombia. Participates in the Exhibition “Passion for Art” in Doha (Qatar). Preparation has begun for the project “Da Vinci, touched by the falcon”.
2010 Exhibition “Passion for Malaga” in which the artist through his art creates a sisterhood for Malaga, Santiago de Compostela and Rome as symbols of spirituality and pilgrimage. Participation in ALMONEDA and in the first edition of ARTEBILBAO with the new oil painting collection named “Robotics”.
2011 Participates in the Caja Granada Collection exhibition ”Prints, graphic art”, where it side by side with works by Munch, Kandinsky, Warhol, Picasso, Christo, Miro and Chillida, among others, at the Benalmadena Exhibition Centre. For the world premier of Alejandro Casona’s “Lady of the Dawn” translated into English by Donald B. Gibbs and directed by Roberta G. Aaron, he presents an oil painting that represents the main character of the Play and is the front pate of the Playbill. For this event which takes place at the Palace of Fair and Congresses of Marbella as well as an exceptional solo exhibition dedicated to “Lady of the Dawn” with a selection of works dedicated to women in History and during his life long venture in the world of Art. Presentation of the new series of oils entitled “Matador” and “Sibyl and the horse” in ALMONEDA, Madrid. Preparation has begun for the exhibition “Two souls, one essence” commemorating the centenary of the diplomatic relationship between Spain and Bulgaria, which will be staged at the Palace of the Madraza in Granada and at the Rectorate Showroom of the University of Malaga. Participates in ARTEBILBAO with the new etching “Virgen de Begoña” and the new oil painting collection of miniatures named “Guggenheim I to XVI”, among other works.
2012 Presents a selection of his latest creations in oil painting and engraving in the Alfican Art Gallery, in Brussels, after two decades of his last exhibition in the European capital city. This collective exhibition is organized by the Atelier Las Medians and supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgarian in the Kingdom of Belgium. Participates in KUNSTART’12, Biennial Art Fair of Contemporary Art. BOLZANO FAIR, Italy. Exhibition “20 years in Malaga” in the Benedito Art Gallery, in which the artist celebrates his twentieth anniversary of living and creating in Malaga. Participates in SALON ART SHOPPING, Carrousel du Louvre, Paris. Participates in the first edition of AAF HAMBURG with an exceptional selection of works in il, drawing and etching techniques, including the Series “Hermann Hesse” inspired and dedicated to his favourite writer, in the 50th anniversary of his death. After many years of research and experimentation, he has invented his own technique of engraving and etching; on the one hand, it is the engraving of the original metal sheet with a fine simple sewing needle, and, on the other, a solution of nitric acid an water, which allows him to submerge the zinc plates in that solution, no less than forty to sixty times. It is through his complex process of precision drawing directly on metal, with its different gradations of acid “bites”, that his engravings acquire their distinct rank of uniqueness. Furthermore, it should be added that he never makes any sketch or drawing in advance of his engravings, not of any of his other works, since he always works directly on to the metal plate, which shows the complexity and high degree of perfection and mastery achieved in his graphic work. Engraving on the metal plates as well as the publication of this extensive graphic work is carried out by the same artist in his studio; which not only distinguishes his but guarantees the number of each work’s pieces existing in the market and their quality. Not only does he carry out the printing personally, but he conserves its pure essence, using nothing but his own hands.
2013 Presentation of the “Metaphysical Spaces” exhibition by the Ambassador of Bulgaria in Belgium, Mr. Vesselin Valkanov, on the occasion of the National Day of Bulgaria in the Alfican Gallery, Brussels. Participates in AAF BRUSSELS. Presentation of the exposition “Metaphysical Spaces” in ALMONEDA, Madrid. Participates with the Series “Don Quixote with a Bulgaria soul” in the project “Don Quijxote of La Mancha. Visions” which inaugurates the Venga del Quijote Exhibition Hall in Puerto Lapice, this permanent exhibition will show a great selection of works by Dore, Decaris, Fragonard, Cocteau, Schlotter, Goya, Picasso and Dali, among others, inspired by the figure of a “Universal Don Quixote”.
2014 Artwork commissioned by AIRBUS MILITARY SPAIN for AIRBUS MILITARY USA. ALMONEDA, Antiques and Art Galleries Fair, Madrid. DONOSTIARTEAN ART FAIR, Kursaal Congress Palace, San Sebastian. Presents the solo show “Metamorphosis” in the Alfican Gallery in Brussels, this show is supported by the Embassy of the Rep. of Bulgaria in the Kingdom of Belgium. Permanent exhibition “Don Quixote of La Mancha. Visions· in the Museum of Venta del Quijote, Puerto Lapice. Participates in the FASHION ART EU show in representation of Bulgaria with the participation of 28 EU countries, this exposition will be held in the European Parliament Visitors’s Centre in Brussels until 15th May 2015.
2015 Represents Bulgaria in the FASHION ART EU Show, European Parliament Visitor’s Centre in Brussels, later the collection will start its tour in the member states. “IV Centennial Don Quixote Part II”, permanent exhibition “Don Quixote of la Mancha. Visions” in the Exhibition Hall of Venta del Quijote, Puerto Lapice, with a selection of works by Dore, Decaris, Fragonard, Cocteau, Coypel, Scholtter, Blount, Hodgkin , Tonson, Goya, Dali, Picasso and Kovatchev, among others. Presentation of the “Queens and Goddesses” exhibition by the Ambassador of Bulgaria in Belgium, Mr. Vesselin Valkanov, in the Espace VK Fine Art, Sablon, Brussels. Participates in ALMONEDA “25 Anniversary”, Madrid. Exhibition in The Gallery, Sofia.