PROPERTY FROM THE JESUS AND MARITESS PINEDA COLLECTION

Literature: Duldulao, Manuel D. A Century of Realism in Philippine Art. Quezon City: Oro Books, Inc., 1982.
Full-color illustration and painting description on page 73.

ABOUT THE WORK

The establishment of the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura in 1855 marked a significant shift in Philippine art, as it popularized the painting of genre scenes. This trend would dominate the Philippine art scene from the 1850s to the 1900s, depicting the townsfolk in their daily activities. A key figure in this movement was Teodoro Buenaventura, who not only contributed as an artist but also as a mentor. He was one of the founding teachers of the UP School of Fine Arts and played a crucial role in shaping the careers of several notable Filipino artists. Landscape painting, sometimes inhabited by people in different activities, was Buenaventura’s strong point. The work at hand, El Autor, was created a year before his departure from his teaching post at UP. This piece features a typical barrio scene; several people are out of the confines of their nipa huts to go about their day, and some are seen from their windows tending to their duties. With his innate sense of color drawn from the majestic colors of nature, dexterous brush strokes and dabs of paint, and keen attention to detail, Buenaventura captured in this masterpiece the serene beauty of countryside life, evoking a sense of tranquility and a deep appreciation for nature (Jessica Magno)