Mother & Child
signed and dated 1959 (bottom)
wood
19 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 6" (24 cm x 17 cm x 15 cm)

PROVENANCEThe Luz Gallery
EXHIBITEDThe Luz Gallery, Group Show, February 13, 1961

A profoundly nationalistic and altruistic man, Benito J Legarda was the Manila patrician personified. Benito Justo Fernandez Legarda V was an economist by profession and a historian by avocation. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences magna cum laude from Georgetown University in 1948. He then obtained his MA and PhD in Economics from Harvard University in 1950 and 1955. He was a Deputy Governor of the CBP Central Bank of the Philippines for almost thirty years from 1951–80. He was a Consultant at the IMF – WB International Monetary Fund – World Bank from 1982–86. Nearing retirement age, Legarda was an advisor on economics at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC from 1987– 92. Like many members of old Filipino families, Legarda collected rare coins, old books, antique maps, and many of his friends knew that. However, many didn’t know that he also collected antique religious images and “relleves”/ bas–reliefs mostly dating to the 18th century and earlier in a nod to his fascination for Spanish–Filipino colonial history as well as the history of the Roman Catholic church in the Philippines. This particular Vicente Manansala piece is not only emblematic of Legarda’s interest in cultural and historical objects, but Manansala’s adherence to the spirit of Modern art. As an artist, Manansala’s practice can be seen through the lens of its change and evolution. From his sketches and watercolor pieces to his development of his distinct transparent cubist style, Manansala stayed true to the ideals of Modernism which sought to push the boundaries of what preceded it. This philosophy still remains true in this piece titled Mother and Child. Though the artist is primarily known for his paintings, this piece showcases how Manansala managed to translate his distinct style to another medium through artistic experimentation.