Shmirgela, Nikolay Petkov Vladov – Shmirgela (1911 – 1999). He was born on September 4, 1911 in Shumen. He studied law at Sofia University and at the same time at the Academy of Arts. He was a member of the Society of New Artists (1931) and its secretary for 8 years. Cartoonist in the newspapers “RLF” (1931) and “Bulgarian West” (1942). Painter since 1933, sculptor since 1934. Director of the National Art Gallery, creator of the permanent exhibition of icons in the crypt of the St. Alexander Nevsky”. He is the author of the work “Sculpture on our lands” (1961) and of many articles and studies in the field of visual arts.
