Fernando Amorsolo – the light of the sun
Fernando Amorsolo stands as a pivotal figure in Philippine art, known especially for his evocative, light-filled portrayals of the Philippine landscape, rural life, the distinctive nature and cultural traditions. Three colourful works by the artist, which belonged to the plantation owner “Java-Bach”, will be going under the hammer at our Live Auction on 2 December.
Fernando Amorsolo (1892–1972) achieved great national and international recognition in his time. Considered the epitome of Philippine culture, his works were a key part in establishing the national identity of the Philippines as an independent nation. The three Amorsolo works were acquired in the Philippines in 1935 by Niels Bach (1885–1973) thence by descent in the family. Having completed his degree in chemical engineering, Niels Breinholt Bach set off for Java just before the outbreak of World War I, where he secured a position at a Dutch sugar factory, hence his nickname, “Java-Bach”. In 1923, Bach acquired a vast sugarcane plantation in the Philippines and established the company “Bach’s Cane Sugar Co A/S, 1923”.
“Bathing women are one of Amorsolo’s most beloved motifs. He has painted several of these idyllic scenes depicting women washing themselves in a river surrounded by lush nature. His masterful technique often captures the dance of sunlight.”
Sofie Normann ChristensenSpecialist in Fine Art at Bruun Rasmussen
Sunny fields, Filipino beauties and delicious fruit
Amorsolo was an artist during a period of major change in the Philippines. The island state, which had previously been a Spanish colony, transitioned to American governance in 1898, for example. Amorsolo was drawn to the rural lifestyle he had known during his childhood yet untouched by the influence of American culture.. While Amorsolo drew inspiration from the art of the Western world, the Philippine landscape, traditional culture, customs and trades remained his primary focus. He painted bright, sun-drenched vignettes of everyday life in the Philippine countryside, such as peasants harvesting rice, cooking, picking mangoes, doing the laundry in the river, at festive gatherings and at markets. Amorsolo also focused on Philippine beauty ideals, developing an archetype known as the “dalagang Filipina” – a woman embodying his vision of quintessential Filipino beauty, which appeared in many of his works.
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A unique radiance
Amorsolo is known for his ability to capture the interplay between light and shade in his paintings. He drew artistic inspiration from many of Europe’s greatest artists, including Baroque master Diego Velázquez (1599–1660), French Realists and Impressionists such as Édouard Manet (1832–1883) and Claude Monet (1840–1926), and contemporary Spanish artists such as Ignacio Zuloaga (1870–1945) and Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923). He was particularly influenced by Sorolla’s use of sunlight to create dramatic effects and contrasts. Amorsolo used light to accentuate his figures, bathing them in a special glow. These techniques are what particularly set Amorsolo apart from his Filipino contemporaries and are widely regarded as one of his greatest contributions to Philippine painting.
For further information, please contact
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Julie Arendse VossJulie Arendse VossHead of department / 19th Century & Old Master Paintings / København |
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Sofie Normann ChristensenSofie Normann ChristensenSpecialist / 19th Century & Old Master Paintings / København |