Imposing 18.25 x 24.5 lithograph by Boris Georgiev showing Albert Einstein's pensive face looking down with his eyes closed, signed in the lower border in pencil by the artist, "Boris Georgiev di Varna, Berlin 1929." The lithograph also carries a facsimile signature of Einstein inherent to the print. Matted to an overall size of 23.75 x 27.75, with a mat opening of 17.5 x 20.5. In fine condition.
Boris Georgiev (1888–1962) was born in Varna, Bulgaria, and in 1902 emigrated with his family to St. Petersburg, where he studied under Nicholas Roerich from 1907 to 1909. From 1909 to 1910, he continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich with Angelo Jank and Peter vom Halm. In the following two years, he traveled through Europe and lived part-time as a hermit.
From 1914 to 1920, Georgiev worked in Florence, and then in Rome. He dedicated nearly all of his oeuvre to painting and drawing. In his later works, there are numerous portraits of famous personalities. In 1928, Einstein and Georgiev met in Berlin and formed a friendship. Einstein was so impressed by Georgiev's art that he organized an exhibition for him at the Salon Schulte unter den Linden. It is said that Einstein delivered the opening speech for this exhibition. As a thank you for this support, Georgiev sent Einstein a large pastel drawing of his portrait.
In a 1929 letter to the artist, Einstein wrote of the portrait (translated): 'Your art made me feel in those orbits where, far from earthly suffering, the soul finds peace. After concentrating in contemplation on the portrait you made of myself, I felt the need to thank you from my heart. As the weak shadows of a transient reality, we feel home-sickness and unfulfilled love towards a different, intangible world.'
