Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (May 30, 1892 – April 24, 1972) is one of the most important artists in the history of painting in the Philippines. Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes. He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light. Born in Paco, Manila, he earned a degree from the Liceo de Manila Art School in 1909.
 |
| Fernando Amorsolo, Self-portrait |
He is the Philippines' first National Artist in Painting (1972), the so-called "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art", Amorsolo earned a degree from the Liceo de Manila Art School in 1909 and entered the University of the Philippines' (UP) School of Fine Arts. He graduated with honors from the UP in 1914 and got study grant in Madrid, Spain. He was also able to visit New York, where he encountered postwar impressionism and cubism, which would be major influences on his work. The following are just a few of Amorsolo's work.
Fernando Amorsolo became popular because of his illuminated landscapes and his historical paintings on which you can see the real reflection of the Filipino soul.
Here are some of Fernando Amorsolo's work.
 |
| Village Scene, 1947 |
 |
| View of Bataan from Manila Bay |
 |
| Unloading the Day's Catch |
Fernando Amorsolo was known to be an excellent sketch artist as well as a peerless master of light and color. He had a signature technique by backlighting his subjects and then gently shading them when nuanced color tones and haloing them with incandescent golden glow.
 |
| Under the Mango Tree |
 |
| The Harvesters |
 |
| Sunday Morning in the Poblacion |
 |
| Sibul River, Zamboanga Del Sur |
As you can see, most of his paintings potrayed the Filipino culture, tradition and customs like the Filipino Fiestas.
 |
| Tinikling in Barrio, 1951 |
 |
| The Tinikling |
 |
| Seascape |
 |
Rice Planting (1922)
His "Rice Planting" (1922), which appeared on posters and tourist brochures, became one of the most popular images of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. |
 |
| Noontime Meal |
 |
| Marketplace Before a Church |
 |
| Girl Washing In The River |
 |
Family Gathering Fruit
On November 30, 2009, the Family Gathering Fruit sold for USD 77,257 at Christie's.
|
 |
| Confeccion De La Standarte Nacional (The Making of the Philippine Flag) |
 |
| Workers In The Field |
 |
| Lavandera |
 |
Afternoon meal of the rice workers, 1951, oil on canvas.
Won first prize at the New York World's Fair. |
 |
| Lavandera 2 |
Throughout his life Fernando Amorsolo worked as an instructor, a draftsman for the Public Works, chief artist for the Pacific Commercial Company, illustrator for children's books and magazines, and served as Director at the School of Fine Arts before he retired in the early 1950s.
In the twilight years of his life, Amorsolo continued painting through declining health. He was married twice and had 13 children before a heart attack eventually took his life on April 24, 1972.
 |
| Man with a cockerel, oil on board, 1938 |
 |
| Nude Girl, 1940 |
 |
| Nude Girl, 1960 |
 |
| Washing scene, 1953 |
 |
| Water carrier, oil on Board, 1937 |
What do you think of Armosolo's work? I find them to have a calming effect and quite interesting to see the lives of the Filipino people in the old days.
What are you thoughts on his work? Feel free to comment below.
Comments