Lot description
Fernando Amorsolo (1892 - 1972) The Offering signed and dated 1945 (lower right) oil on canvas Fernando Amorsolo, Filipino master of portraiture, landscape, and still-life painting, was immersed in the classical conservative painting tradition in which the mastery of human anatomy was a requisite. The first National Artist’s prodigiousness in depicting the human form is evident in his renditions of the female nude. He has produced various exceptional nude paintings and drawings that celebrate the sensuousness and voluptuousness of the woman form. The Filipina had also become one of his most enduring subjects in his prolific artistic career. The country is predominantly conservative; modesty is expected from the Filipina. The display of the nude female body usually causes frowns or glares and scowls among the conservatives. Nonetheless, Amorsolo painted images of the nude Filipina that did not offend Philippine society. Amorsolo adhered to the classical conventions of nude painting in his pieces featuring the naked Filipina, making significant contributions in the nude art tradition and broadening the collective sense of appreciation toward the particular genre in the country. Amorsolo captures the character and soul of the voluptuous naked Filipina in The Offering. Light glows in her skin not rendered with a white complexion but tanned, evoking the natural qualities of the timeless Filipina beauty. Her eyes are lively and her collar bones and upper torso are pronounced or strongly marked. She is all the more characterized by her sarong and modest worn adornments. Here, Amorsolo showcases his ideal depiction of the female form with a delicate and rounded frame. Set against a warm and subdued background, the nude Filipina offering tropical fruits and flowers has qualities of gentleness, gracefulness, and innocence. This piece, all in all, is a romantic celebration of Amorsolo’s virtuosity in capturing the essence of the Filipina beauty in his post-war nude works. Estimate in USD $110000-$143000
