Fernando Amorsolo was born in 1892 in Manila but spent much of his childhood in the small town of Daet, Camarines Norte. He showed an early talent for art, often drawing pictures of the countryside. Amorsolo became known for his depictions of rural Philippine life and traditions in a realistic style, with a focus on using light and color to create a calm atmosphere. His 1922 painting "Rice Planting" depicts farmers working in the rice fields on a sunny day and was one of his most famous works, reflecting Filipino culture even during the American colonial period. Amorsolo is recognized as the first National Artist of the Philippines for promoting a sense of Filipino identity and traditions through his
Fernando Amorsolo was born in 1892 in Manila but spent much of his childhood in the small town of Daet, Camarines Norte. He showed an early talent for art, often drawing pictures of the countryside. Amorsolo became known for his depictions of rural Philippine life and traditions in a realistic style, with a focus on using light and color to create a calm atmosphere. His 1922 painting "Rice Planting" depicts farmers working in the rice fields on a sunny day and was one of his most famous works, reflecting Filipino culture even during the American colonial period. Amorsolo is recognized as the first National Artist of the Philippines for promoting a sense of Filipino identity and traditions through his
Fernando Amorsolo was born in 1892 in Manila but spent much of his childhood in the small town of Daet, Camarines Norte. He showed an early talent for art, often drawing pictures of the countryside. Amorsolo became known for his depictions of rural Philippine life and traditions in a realistic style, with a focus on using light and color to create a calm atmosphere. His 1922 painting "Rice Planting" depicts farmers working in the rice fields on a sunny day and was one of his most famous works, reflecting Filipino culture even during the American colonial period. Amorsolo is recognized as the first National Artist of the Philippines for promoting a sense of Filipino identity and traditions through his
Fernando Amorsolo was born in 1892 in Manila but spent much of his childhood in the small town of Daet, Camarines Norte. He showed an early talent for art, often drawing pictures of the countryside. Amorsolo became known for his depictions of rural Philippine life and traditions in a realistic style, with a focus on using light and color to create a calm atmosphere. His 1922 painting "Rice Planting" depicts farmers working in the rice fields on a sunny day and was one of his most famous works, reflecting Filipino culture even during the American colonial period. Amorsolo is recognized as the first National Artist of the Philippines for promoting a sense of Filipino identity and traditions through his
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Fernando Amorsolo was born on May 30, 1892 in Calle Herran in Paco, Manila
to Pedro Amorsolo and Bonifacia Cueto. Although born in the nations capital, Amorsolo would spend most of his childhood in the small town setting of Daet in Camarines Norte where his love for the simple rural life would become the foundation for his artistic output for which he is most well-known.
The Early Years
Amorsolos earliest memories would bring him back to a quiet life in the countryside. When he was only seven months old, his father moved the family to Daet to work as a bookkeeper for two abaca firms. Pedro was able to earn a modest income, enough to keep his family comfortable.
Fernando showed early signs of his artistic talent. He would go out to the coast to draw pictures of the ships by the wharves. It was his mother who recognized the young Amorsolos talent. She would send her sons drawings to her cousin Fabian dela Rosa, a prominent painter in Manila. At this early age, Amorsolo displayed an affinity for the rural landscape --- a reflection of his own small world.
True Philippine culture, this is the theme that composes most of Fernando Amorsolos artworks. Rice planting is among those that depicts the real Filipino tradition that is still applicable until the present time
The painting is set on a rice field wherein farmers, regardless of their gender, are on with their usual work under a bright sunny day. Its visual weight is light because the colors used were mostly pastel in nature. No dark colors were used to produce a feeling of calm and peace. Even though rice planting is definitely hard work, the painting made it look like a simple work and fine day to be out.
It was an ideal picture of provincial life like most of his paintings. The particular genre that was used is realism. He painted the details as to how it might look like in real life. However, faces of the farmers were not vividly detailed because their Buri hats covered them. Supposing that the sun was on its peak in that picture.
Amorsolos trademark were the backlighting technique and the Filipino tradition themes. In rice planting, the backlighting technique manifested wherein figures are outlined against a characteristic glow, and intense light on one part of the canvas highlights nearby details. Sunlight is a consistent element in Amorsolos works. Brush strokes were smooth which emphasizes the serene feel intended by the artist.
Fernando Cuerto Amorsolo is the very first painter to be given the recognition as the countrys national artist. His work titled Rice PLanting which was made in 1922 was one of his most famous works. This was when the Philippines was under the American colonial rule and it is impressive that Amorsolo consistently painted pictures reflecting the true Filipino soul despite the colonization. Although, critics have been claiming that Amorsolo did these to serve as souvenirs to the Americans not withstanding the fact that Rice planting became so popular that time that it was used in calendars, brochures etc.
Critics were also claiming that Amorsolos works have no deep meanings. There is nothing to appreciate aside from how it was made. But, still Amorsolo was the proponent artist to promote the impression of the Filipino identity on canvass.
