Leon Gallery wishes to thank Mrs. Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo for
confirming the authenticity of this lot

Provenance: Provenance:
Private collection, USA

ABOUT THE WORK

Fernando Amorsolo’s genre pieces are still among his most sought-after works by art collectors and connoisseurs alike. With his luminist and realist penchant, the country’s first national artist is widely acclaimed for authentically encapsulating the distinctness of Filipino identity and heritage through his depictions of Philippine topography, folk living, and portraits. According to art historian Eric Torres, Amorsolo “captures on canvas the vibrant tropical Philippine sunlight,” excellently capturing the sanguinity and pleasantness of the country and its people. Influenced by Joaquin Sorolla during his stay in Spain, he learned his distinctive approach to lighting wherein he expertly employs the various hues and luminosity of the sun. Among Amorsolo’s depictions of idyllic Filipino life, the tinikling dance is one of his most famous and frequent subjects. A traditional folk dance that originated from the Spanish colonial period, it was a result of various cultures and specific influences from Luzon and Visayas. The dance often involves two or four parallel pairs of bamboo poles that are held by two or more sitting or kneeling people. The poles are used as percussive instruments accompanying music played with string instruments. Only a few classical folk paintings of the dance exist outside of Amorsolo’s own body of work given the rigorous technical skill and talent required to properly immortalize the brief moment of movement and dance.