Provenance: Provenance: Commissioned by the sitters, thence by descent

ABOUT THE WORK

The presence of a woman’s portrait within the setting of painting draws the two subjects closely together, both formally and psychologically. Titled Mr. and Mrs. Fulgencio T. Borromeo, the portrait is a complex portrayal of marriage, suggesting the authoritative strength of the man and the tenderness and trust of the woman. The highlight in the portrait is Don Fulgencio T. Borromeo. Indeed a very successful man, he served as a debate stenographer in the first national assembly, the legislature under the Jones Law era at the beginning of the American occupation, and soon became the president of the Bank of the Philippine Islands. Don Fulgencio dearly loved the arts, classical music, and opera from London, Germany, and most European capitals as much as he loved listening to news broadcasts. Accompanying him in this portrait is his wife Teodora Quintos. After getting married, the couple settled in a plush neighborhood at the corner of Oroquieta and Mayhaligue Streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila—their abode was given the name The Garden of Eden. Don Fulgencio and Aling Doray as they became popularly known were blessed with twelve children: Dick, Pacita, Tony, Tudie, Ramon, Conching, Horacio, Peping, Johnny, Titang, Nena, and Rosie. Also featured inside the painting is a portrait of Doña Escoslastica Torres, mother of Don Fulgencio whom they regarded as Nanay. Nanay, as her grandchildren described her, was “a very nice and gentle woman. . . . However, is terror when is mad.” The colors and strange watery light create an almost ephemeral moment. The smudgy background accentuates the sharp focus of the couple, fulfilling de la Rosa’s search for the effects of spontaneity and informality. The artist gives watercolor a freshness of vision and an individuality that sets a standard that inspires up to this day. This painting is a rare work of de la Rosa for it does not fall under the usual categories of his work: the academic paintings, the formal portraits, the character sketches, and the European figure paintings.