Fernando

Amorsolo

Biography :
The Philippine artist Fernando Amorsolo (1892-1972) was a portraitist and painter of rural
landscape. He is best known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light.

Fernando Amorsolo was born May 30, 1892, in the Paco district of Manila. At 13 he was apprenticed
to the noted Philippine artist Fabian de la Rosa, his mother's first cousin. In 1909 Amorsolo enrolled
at the Liceo de Manila and then attended the fine-arts school at the University of the Philippines,
graduating in 1914. After working three years as a commercial artist and part-time instructor at the
university, he studied at the Escuela de San Fernando in Madrid. For seven months he sketched at
the museums and on the streets of Madrid, experimenting with the use of light and color. That winter
he went to New York and discovered the works of the postwar impressionists and cubists, who
became the major influence on his works. On his return to Manila, he set up his own studio.

Techniques :
Amorsolo used natural light in his paintings and developed the backlighting technique
Chiaroscuro, which became his artistic trademark and his greatest contribution to Philippine painting.
Major Works :

PLANTING RICE – It reflects the arrival of

the Americans in the Philippines and the
idealism of the artist to the Philippine society.
The painting reflected the people’s desire to
escape from complicated reality into simplicity
( Stanchev , 2017 )

DALAGANG BUKID – Depicts a portrait of

an ideal young Filipina maiden showing a sweet
smile as if she enjoys the agricultural life in the
Philippines.

THE MESTIZA – Depicting a Filipina beauty holding a

fan in an eye-catching ochre off the shoulder formal gown
known as the mestiza dress.
Sample of Works :