Lot description
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY A Song for the Month of May signed and dated 1976 (lower right and verso) acrylic on canvas 40" x 30" (102 cm x 76 cm) WRITE UP: H.R.Ocampo masterfully suffused his central imagery with a myriad of colors. The essence of color permeates these themes, demonstrating a disciplined strength yet profound sensitivity. Ocampo's canvases pulsate with the vibrancy of tropical sunlight, the verdancy of forests, the vividness of folk art, the flamboyance of town fiestas, and most notably, the radiant hues of the sari-manok, a bird revered in Muslim tradition. The specific use of morning greens, among other hues, accentuates the harmony and interplay of complementary colors, focusing the viewer's attention on the dynamic interrelation of color and texture. This synergy crafts a distinctive lyrical expressiveness, transcending the confines of the depicted subjects. Ocampo articulates a preference for exploring the interplay of shapes, hues, values, textures, and lines within a given space, eschewing the mere replication of nature's photographic likeness. His artistic preoccupation lies with fabricating new dimensions of reality, defined by nuances of tension and dynamics, rather than depicting traditional emotional spectrums like hatred, love, or anger. The lot at hand is situated within the context of Ocampo's later creative period, notably as he approached the final chapters of his life. The year 1976 marked a prolific phase in Ocampo's career, during which he ambitiously produced 65 new works to commemorate his 65th birthday. This phase of his oeuvre reflects a departure from the thematic preoccupations of his earlier years, which were predominantly imbued with political, philosophical, religious, and social connotations. Emerging from a generation profoundly shaped by the experiences of war and poverty, Ocampo's later works, including "A Song for 58 PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY Hernando R. Ocampo (1911 - 1978) A Song for the Month of May signed and dated 1976 (lower right and verso) acrylic on canvas 40" x 30" (102 cm x 76 cm) P 4,800,000 Hernando Ocampo © Galleria Duemila the Month of May," underscore a refined exploration of his artistic process. Here, the emphasis shifts towards an introspective study of color, line, shape, and form, demonstrating a nuanced evolution in his approach to art. This transition not only highlights Ocampo's mastery over visual elements but also signifies a deeper, more contemplative engagement with the medium, free from the explicit narrative constraints that characterized his initial phases of work. (Ysabella Vistan)
