PROPERTY FROM THE LITTON FAMILY COLLECTION

ABOUT THE WORK

In the vast oeuvre of Manansala, of note are his watercolor works. His outstanding use of the medium is truly a spectacle, as he captures landscapes with such refined composure and restraint. As an artist, Manansala often dabbled with genre scenes. Yet, his work proved to be a cut above the rest as his unique cubist style differed greatly from the more bountiful realism works. Manansala manages to masterfully balance solid and broad strokes with soft and seemingly ephemeral gestures throughout his rich and varied body of works. Beyond his impressive draftsmanship is his masterful eye, as he puts on display his understanding of light, gracefully completing the composition in all its simple eloquence. In this work from 1971, Manansala uses his medium with such great restraint—the translucence of watercolor so elegantly giving vibrance and allure to the composition, ultimately adding to its emotional quality. Such translucent quality of watercolor bore inspiration for Manansala’s Cubism, and could very well be a precursor for which.