SPIRIDONOV, Zheko Hadzhivichev Spiridonov (18.II.1867- 15.VIІ.1945). Born in Shumen. After the Ceramic School in Behine (1886-1892), he completed sculpture in Munich under Prof. Eberle. One of the most prominent and talented artists in Bulgarian sculpture, its creator and teacher of its prominent representatives such as Andrey Nikolov, Ivan Lazarov, Ivan Funev. Professor of sculpture, director of the Academy of Arts (1909-1911, 1921-1924, 1929-1930). Already in Munich for “Nymph” he received the highest honor awarded by the Academy. Since then, there have also been “Idyllia”, “Suzana in the bath”, “Bacchus”. The strength of his creativity finds expression in busts-monuments of Bulgarian educators and revolutionaries – Hr. Botev, G. Benkovski, V. Levski, P. R. Slaveikov, Iv. Vazov, L. Karavelov, Al. Konstantinov. He received first prize for the bust of Count Ignatiev in Varna. The monumental composition “St. George” (1907) above the entrance to the Pleven Museum is his. He participated in a competition for a monument to Tsar Osvoboditel in Sofia. In 1945, he was elected an extraordinary member of the BAS.
