Fernando Amorsolo (1892 – 1972)
Barrio Fiesta
signed and dated 1949 (lower right)
oil on canvas
24" x 30" (61 cm x 76 cm)
Starting Price: ₱ 8,000,000
Accompanied by a certificate issued by Mrs. Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo confirming the authenticity of this lot
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Manila
LITERATURE
Amorsolo-Lazo, Sylvia, Jane Allinson, Carlomar Archangel Daoana, and Cid Reyes. Amorsolo: Love and Passion (Volume II: Landscapes and Other Works). Quezon City: Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation, Inc., 2018. Full-color illustration and painting description on page 232.
While his radiant sunlight proves to be a strong point of Fernando Amorsolo’s landscapes, his ingenious employment of shadows is also commendable. Amorsolo’s adroit command of light and shadow resulted from his short travels across the country. Witnessing the grandiosity of the Philippine landscape with his own eyes enabled him to capture its colors and tonal intensity in his canvases precisely. Additionally, his immersion with the townsfolk allowed him to give an accurate portrayal of their everyday lives and activities in his paintings.
In Barrio Fiesta, painted in 1949, Amorsolo’s vivid hues bring to life the local folks’ celebration of a local feast. The painting depicts an ongoing procession, with two women carrying flowers and offerings leading the trail to the nearby chapel and a marching band following suit. Outside the parish, more people are gathered.
Processions are a common sight in Filipino festivals, a symbol of the community’s faith and unity. Accordingly, the bustling activities throughout the town come to a pause as the procession passes them by—both in respect and reverie. .
On one side of the road, Amorsolo placed a makeshift market brimming with fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, the opposing side is lined with trees and nipa huts. A blooming fire tree stands out, its vibrant orange hue intensifying the warmth and liveliness of this painting.
The light from his concocted sun graced his creations, saturating their colors. It adds brilliance to the verdant greens and heartwarming scenery he portrays, enveloping them with warmth and nostalgia that resonates with the viewers. Amorsolo’s palette, characterized by bright and lyrical attributes, is a testament to his skill as a master colorist and a marvel that leaves the audience in awe.
A cultural phenomenon in his lifetime, Fernando Amorsolo possessed a unique ability to transform any blank canvas into a vibrant image of his beloved country and compatriots. His genre and historical paintings not only offer appealing landscapes and portraits but also elicit a great sense of belonging to the Filipino nation. (Jessica Magno)
Lot 74 of the Leon Gallery online and live auction on Saturday 6 December 2025. To place an online bid and for more information, please go to leon-gallery.com and leonexchange.com .
Image acknowledgement to Leo Cloma on 2025-11-30 06:02:37
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