Provenance: Private Collection, Makati City

ABOUT THE WORK

A distinctive modernist, Diosdado Lorenzo has been at the forefront of the modernism of Philippine art even before the mainstream emergence of the movement. Among the original Thirteen Moderns, Lorenzo’s stylized approach has garnered great reception. Veering away from the immensely popular classical realism of the period, the original Thirteen Modernists took to different stylistic facets, presenting new perspectives and ideas, redefining a rigid standard. In such, modernism had gained a mainstream audience, and paved the way for the evolution and emergence of future styles. In this work from 1981, Lorenzo tries his hand at a classical still life. The renowned Modern’s vision is emotionally charged — his approach to form bearing an impressionistic character, his use of color very brut, yet eloquent, and his penchant for yellow pervading the composition. Excellent is Lorenzo’s execution, completing the ever nostalgic classical theme in such restrained and poised fashion.