a.) Untitled 1, b.) Untitled 2, c.) Untitled 3
a.) signed and dated 1963 (lower right), b.) signed and dated 1961 (lower left), c.) signed and dated 1961 (lower right)
oil on canvas each
a.) 12" x 9" (30 cm x 23 cm), b.) 11" x 14" (28 cm x 36 cm), c.) 11" x 14" (28 cm x 36 cm)

Private Collection, USA

Elias Laxa’s interest in vernacular architecture is revealed. Here a masterpiece in watercolor captures the essence of a typical American mid nineteenth century town house. Laxa painted the kind of subjects that were familiar and predominated in the old to midcentury urban Philippine scene, churches and small street shops. They invite the viewer to dwell on the passing of things, to contemplate on the details of structures that were once part of an era that gave way to new forms. Elias Laxa’s articulation of everyday architectural structures allows for compositional solutions worked out in terms of the most varied rhythms. His mastery for infinitely subtle tonal values is evident throughout the works.