Provenance: Provenance: Private Collection, U.S.A.

ABOUT THE WORK

Antonio Garcia Llamas, fondly called “Tony,” is one of the most celebrated Filipino artists and portraitists of his time. He produced portraits of prominent individuals from the elite circles of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Spain. In 1930, Llamas graduated from the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts, then traveled to Italy in 1938 to study at the Academia de Belli Arti di Roma for a year. He also studied at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid in 1939. His first exhibit in Spain titled Indays held at the Círculo de Bellas Artes in 1941 was a huge success; his works were well-received and critics consider him the “Filipino Gauguin.” His painting of a trio of Filipino nudes with Malayan features were also highly acclaimed and was featured in the cultural magazine Shin Seiki which was published in the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation. Just like this particular work, the nude women in his paintings are voluptuous in figure and facial expression.