He is one of the most prominent, influential and distinctive Bulgarian artists of the 20th century.

A modernist influenced by the Symbolism and the Secession,[1] Lavrenov is best known for his cityscapes of the old town of Plovdiv as well as his monasteries cycle.

Tsanko Ivanov Lavrenov was born on November 24, 1896, in the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

His grandfather Lavrentiy was a bookman, copyist of catholic manuscripts.

[2] In 1921-22, he enrolled at a private art school in Vienna.