Medrano, Sadamas - SA1 - Sec. 42
Medrano, Sadamas - SA1 - Sec. 42
Medrano, Sadamas - SA1 - Sec. 42
Title
The artwork “Mga Magsasaka” by Vicente Manansala is one of the remarkable artworks
that represents the living and culture of the Filipinos. Seen by its fine lines and various colors,
Vicente wanted to show the whole structure without using perspective or graded shadings to
create an image as a whole. The painting reflects the hard work of five farmers arranged
perfectly in their own space, expressing unity. All five people, specifically four women, and one
man, are sun-drenched and seemingly tired due to their sad eyes and expressionless faces; it is
extracted with the perfect symmetrical lines crafted by the hands of the talented artist in the year
1961. It was painted using Oil on canvas mounted on landscape wood with a measurement of 51
x 84 inches and placed on the walls of the National Museum of Fine Arts in the Philippines. The
color palette of the painting is visually earthy colors, colliding with a hint of blue, green, yellow,
and tangerines (Abadilla, E. V., 2014), representing agriculture. Vicente Manansala is known as
an illustrator and a cubist painter who studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. In
his works, he emphasizes using patterns such as tones and shapes (Rey, 2019). He is known for
the transparent cubism technique that he adapted from Pablo Picasso and came from his training
In the years of Vicente Manansala, he was often compared to some painters like Jean Francois
Millet and Pablo Picasso because of the often-seen similarities in their works. Despite this, he
was regarded as one of the most important Filipino painters during the 20th century. He bridged
the gap between urban and rural living, as well as between traditional and modern lifestyles
through the movement of Social Realism, illustrating social and political turmoils. Just like in the
painting Magsasaka, he showed a mirror of the Philippine society regarding the situations of the
farmers. Although the artwork shows the vibrancy of colors, it depicts the defying of the
romanticized approach under the subject (De Guzman, N., 2017). Based on the socio-cultural
context of the painting, it shows the active participation of the people in the community, such as
farming with the men and ladies, portraying the same part of the job they do for a living, a
simple practice that possibly the artist have perceived during his time, which can also conclude
in the agricultural aspect of the country where the artist has resided.
On the other hand, it sets the values of the Filipinos, generosity, helpfulness, and the course of
providing for family’s needs, which has become a mirror of the past and present of the
environment where every Filipino exists. The concept of the artist is a great way of expressing
appreciation to the dear farmers of the Philippines that may symbolize that farmers are not
forgotten; they are still at the heart of every Filipino’s dining table. Conversely, Filipino farmers
deserve recognition for their hard work for the reproduction in agriculture and for providing for
the whole country. The painting could demonstrate the real conditions, as well as the struggles of
the farmers. Possibly, the painter would like to emphasize his endearment to Filipino Farmers
who have been part of the culture from the pre-Spanish era up to his time. He enclosed his vision
of reality in the form of a painting. His cubism style has been very notable by portraying more
paintings related to the common lives of the people in his country. As of today, this painting may
become a way of initiative to give more incentives to farmers and make their lives easier and
fairer, sending a message about the need for support rather than idealizing the typical overly
simplified view.
References
Abadilla, E. V. (2014, April 6). Vicente Silva Manansala – MANILENYA. MANILENYA.
https://manilenya222.wordpress.com/tag/vicente-silva-manansala/
BSP. (2020). Fine art collection - national artist series. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/AboutTheBank/Facilities/BSP%20Museum%20Collection/
FineArt/NationalArtist-Manansala.aspx?ID=2642
https://www.spot.ph/arts-culture/56154/national-museum-features-manansala-retrospective
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nagarjun/37410348886
Rey, M. V. (2019, October 17). Who is Vicente Mananasala? national artist in the Philippines.
PhilNews. https://philnews.ph/2019/10/17/who-is-vicente-mananasala-national-artist-in-the-
philippines/
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