ABOUT THE WORK

The discipline to which the artist of the lot at hand subjected himself was draftsmanship. Vincente Manansala, throughout his entire artistic career, has consistently exhorted on the importance of teaching drawing, more than teaching art. According to the modernist master, “You can’t teach art. You can only teach drawing.” Other than his excellent draftsmanship, Manansala was also known for his transparent Cubism, the evocative layering of planar surfaces to evoke an image. He was able to extend this stylistic treatment to his charcoal works as well, which is exemplified by this untitled charcoal on paper piece dated 1980. However, cubism’s tendency to bisect forms did not extend to his depiction of the female form. Instead, he shows his deft skill in depicting the human body, rendering with utmost realism. (Isabella Romarate)