Fernando Amorsolo (1892 - 1972)
Harvest
signed and dated 1962 (lower right)
oil on canvas
28" x 21 1/2" (71 cm x 55 cm)


León Gallery wishes to thank Mrs. Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazofor confirming the authenticity of this lot.
PROVENANCEPrivate Collection, USA



Fernando Amorsolo had mastered the Filipino genre painting with its idyllic renditions of country life. The popularity of his art pieces are easy to account for because it embodies a sense of sweetness and sincerity. The life he chose to portray on canvas invariably brims with good cheer, grace, optimism, and just what we would like to see after a hard day’s grind. This 1962 painting titled Harvest features farmers set on a rice field, with a woman as his muse, working under a bright sunny day. A tranquil and beautiful scene is a remarkable example of the way in which Amorsolo succeeds in adding a magical yet realistic dimension to the most ordinary of everyday things. The whole scene is one of lightness and space, made possible by his choice of location. Using his trademark backlighting technique, he outlined the figures against a characteristic glow, and intense light on one part of the canvas to highlight nearby details. Brushstrokes were smooth which emphasizes the serene feel intended by the artist. Amorsolo was not a social commentator, but an aesthete who hoped to emphasize the finer qualities of his country and the people, from the beauty of the natural environment to the natural grace of the common people and the dignity of their life and labor. (P.I.R.)