PROPERTY FROM THE ZITA FELICIANO COLLECTION

León Gallery wishes to thank the artist for confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

Like his mentor and foremost luminary, the eminent Carlos "Botong" Francisco, Tam Austria primarily draws inspiration from the diversity of Philippine culture—the native customs and traditions and, interestingly, the enduring myths and legends. Maria Makiling, the legendary protector/guardian spirit of Mount Makiling, has become one of the most revered legendary figures in Philippine mythology. Her storied presence as the enchantress of Mount Makiling has been immortalized in numerous accounts. During the precolonial era, the ancient Tagalogs venerated her as an anito sent by Bathala to aid humanity in their living. Jose Rizal retold the story of Maria Makiling in his work titled Mariang Makiling, published on November 23, 1890, in La Solidaridad. Rizal describes the deity as "a young girl, tall, well-shaped, with large black eyes, and long and abundant hair; her color was clear and light brown, the "kayumangging-kaligatan," as the Tagalogs say; her hands and feet, small and exquisite; and the expression of her face, always grave and serious." Rizal adds, "Mariang Makiling is always preserved a virgin, slender, and mysterious as the spirit of the mountain." In this 1989 work by Austria, the alluring Maria Makiling can be seen sitting on the ground, caressing a wild deer on her lap. Her divinely sublime face and bodily gesture invoke graceful femininity, further highlighted by her long, wavy hair that sways exquisitely with the gentle breeze. An abundance of lush flora surrounds her, with the purity of nature complementing her immaculate persona as the custodian of the mountain and everything that lives in it and gains from its blessings. (A.M.)