Provenance:
Don Pedro Alejandro Paterno (1857– 1911) and
Doña Luisa Piñeyro de Lugo y Merino (Sra. de Paterno, d. 1897)

Exhibited:
Exposicion General de Las Islas Filipinas, 1887, Palacio de Cristal,
Parque de Retiro, Madrid;
Exposicion Historico-Americana, 1892 alongside the Exposicion
Historico-Europe, Palacio de Biblioteca y Museos Nacionales
(National Library and Museums) 1892, Parque de Madrid
(formerly Parque de Retiro), Madrid
Exposicion Historico -Natural y Etnográfica, Madrid, 1893
Exposición Regional Filipina, Manila, 1895

Literature: Catalogo General de la Exposicion Historico-Americana, 1892. Section S; Catalogue Entry for Sculpture, No. 85 and described as follows : A wooden figure of a lady, in the act of eating from a bowl with the aid of chopsticks. This is another masterpiece by the artist of the preceding sculpture, the inspired sculptor Jesus of Sta. Cruz, Manila

ABOUT THE WORK

Writes Miguel and Jean Marie Paterno in the family memoir, By Their Deeds : The Paternos of the Spanish Era, “After the success of the 1887 Exposicion General de Las Islas Filipinas, the progressive Queen Regent issued a decree on 9 January 1891 to provide for a series of international exhibits. The simultaneous historical exhibits Exposicion Historico-Americana and Exposicion Historico-Europea were slated for 12 September 1892 until 31 December 1892, to be held in the newly constructed Palacio de Biblioteca y Museos Nacionales (National Library and Museums), one of the largest public libraries in the world, and in the adjacent grounds and structures of the Parque de Madrid (otherwise referred to as Parque de Retiro where the 1887 Exposicion was held). Several scientific, artistic, and literary conferences were scheduled within the term of the expositions, adding an intellectual and scholarly dimension to the world exhibits.” They continued, “Intended to commemorate the 400th year of Christopher Columbus's discovery of continental America, the 1892 Exposicion Historico-Americana was a salute to the glory days of the Spanish empire.” The Paterno family memoir elaborates, “With the wider and more complex logistical scope of the twin American and European exhibits, the organizers found the ideal exhibit partner for the section on Filipinas in Pedro. The Maguinoo was known for the exquisite Filipiniana displayed in his Calle Sauco apartment; had published writings on the history of the archipelago and its people; was a contributing member of the Comisaria Regia of the 1887 Exposicion General de Filipinas; and was accurately perceived to be more than willing to take on responsibility for the entire exhibit, if need be.” In fact, found in “Section S of the Catalogo General de la Exposicion Historico- Americana de Madrid 1892, Tomo Il, the foreword reads: Given the brevity of time the committee had to prepare for this show, and the risk of breakage in transit, the Excelentisimo Delegado Genera requested Señor Don Pedro Paterno, distinguished Filipino writer, was requested if they could use the latter's historical collection of objects from the Philippine archipelago.” The same catalogue describes under the category Sculpture, No. 85, “A wooden figure of a lady, in the act of eating from a bowl with the aid of chopsticks. This is another masterpiece from ‘inspired sculptor Jesus of Santa Cruz (Manila.) The Paterno collections thus exhibited in 1887 would continue to provide illumination on all things Philippine in subsequent expositions. (Lisa Guerrero Nakpil) Augusto Reyes Gonzalez III, describes “the second “tipo del pais” statuette “La Vendedora” as a dark and plump woman, head covered with a cream– colored veil, neatly–combed hair peeking from it, dressed in a thin white–striped teal camisa and faded vermilion skirt with black flowers, left leg kneeling. The classical way her veil is draped and tucked under her arms harks back to the “santos” of the early 1800s. The statuette is armless like the Greek and Roman statues; probably damaged by time. Actually, she looks like a character in a “belen” or “creche” (Nativity) scene, perhaps even an “india” Virgin Mary.”