PROPERTY FROM THE DR. VICTOR REYES COLLECTION

Leon Gallery wishes to thank Mrs. Sylvia AmorsoloLazo for confirming the authenticity of this lot

Provenance: Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist

ABOUT THE WORK

Amorsolo had mastered the Filipino genre painting with its idyllic renditions of country life against the backdrop of the lushness of the landscape. He also made many outdoor studies of the Filipino countryside in an ardent endeavor to capture the light and color of what he observed. Amorsolo was not a social commentator, but an aesthete who hoped to emphasize the finer qualities of his country and the people, from the beauty of the natural environment to the natural grace of the common people and the dignity of their life and labour. This piece entitled Anihan showcases Amorsolo at his best as he attempts to capture the beauty and grace of the countryside. The heart of the Amorsolo style, his dazzling colorism, has been the subject of much discussion. The special vibrancy out of his rendition of tropical sunlight in his genre and landscape paintings was derived from the techniques he studied in the works of European masters. The popularity of his art is easier to account because it embodies a sense of sweetness and light. The life he chose to portray on canvas invariably brims with good cheer, serenity, casual grace, optimism, and just what we would like to see after a hard day’s grind. This quietly beautiful scene, featuring several countrymen and women, is a remarkable example of the way in which Amorsolo succeeds in adding a magical yet realistic dimension to the most ordinary of everyday things. The whole scene is one of lightness and space, made possible by Amorsolo’s choice of location.