Provenance: Provenance: Galerie Bleu Private Collection, USA

ABOUT THE WORK

Using a technique that distances away from realism, Tabuena’s barrio scene silhouettes are ethereally simple, set against a misty blue backdrop. This barrio scene is an outstanding example of paint used purely to describe atmospherics. This picture reflects these qualities in visual terms. The farmers are barely defined at all. His ethereal landscapes with dreamlike carabaos which seem to float in vapor. With a trained eye to snip from the reel of his visual memory the truly instant impression that satisfied him, Tabuena is best known for his works, at times in a vertical format influenced by Chinese painting. The near monochromatic watercolor landscapes of nipa huts, farmers, and carabaos are done in an exquisite style, with attenuated figures spread out in large tonal areas suggesting an early morning fog.