Who is Fernando Amorsolo? How do you know the artwork is his?

Fernando Amorsolo was the first artist to receive the National Artist Award in the Philippines, a posthumous award given four days after his death. He was born on May 30, 1892, in Paco, Manila. His family moved to Daet, Camarines Norte, where his father worked as a bookkeeper. After his father's death when Amorsolo was 11, the family returned to Manila. Amorsolo used his artistic talent to support his studies at the School of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, where he later became a draftsman, artist, part-time tutor, and eventually dean. He also received a scholarship from Enrique Zobel de Ayala to study at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes in Madrid, Spain, the same school Juan Luna attended.

Amorsolo's artistic style is characterized by three main aspects. First, his conservative approach, meaning his paintings are realistic and adhere to traditional standards. An example is 'Palay Maiden,' which depicts realistic details of the woman, rice, light, and background. However, while physically realistic, the concept is idealistic; the woman appears perfect and posed, despite being under the sun, implying an idealized portrayal rather than a candid moment.

Second, Amorsolo masterfully used chiaroscuro, a technique known in the West for its contrast between light and dark. Amorsolo applied this technique to Filipino scenes, creating a unique Filipino style. His paintings often feature strong contrasts of light and shadow, giving them depth, such as in scenes with women gathering harvested mangoes, where light from the back illuminates parts of the scene while trees are in shadow.

Third, Amorsolo's skill allowed him to paint diverse subjects, including landscapes, portraits, and historical paintings. His early works often depicted the beauty of the Philippines, characterized by sunny scenes, rarely featuring rain. He loved painting scenes from Manila, such as Intramuros. He was also known for his portraits of businessmen and prominent members of society. During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Amorsolo's paintings shifted to portray the somber reality of war, using darker colors like red and black to reflect the sad scenes. His unparalleled skills make his paintings highly valued, offering images that remind us of both the beauty and history of the Philippines.