The oeuvres of Thirteen Artists Award recipient Jaime de Guzman have shifted and transformed throughout the years but despite the atmospheric changes, they have cemented themselves (and their creator) into Philippine art history, with de Guzman becoming perhaps one of the most important figures in the 1960s Philippine art scene. His earlier works were angrier and more morose, covered in shades of red and black but his later works mellowed down to a softer, lighter oeuvre.
The lot in hand, Seascape, takes after this more pleasant later period. De Guzman’s odyssey in the Philippines (he along with his wife Anne first moved to Laguna then to Sagada) helped imbibe his work with the idyllic atmosphere of the rural and the provincial. Seascape, in particular, echoes the warm beaches that surround the coasts of Laguna. Depicting a warm afternoon, boats rest on the beach as the sunlight beats down on the sea, turning the blue waters into an even more vibrant shade. In the distance, a mountain could be seen, verdant green under the shining sun.
The later works of De Guzman fully embody the folk serenity and the domesticity of provincial life. It breathes fresh air into his works, rekindling nature that would manifest in the changes in his expressionistic style. Seascape portrays the quietude found within the sea, emphasizing the beauty one could find if they take the time to converse with nature and appreciate the solitude brought by it. (Hannah Valiente)
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A VERY DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN
Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist