Filipino Painters: The Few Cream of the Crop

A picture paints a thousand words. This is true because even a simple painting can have a great meaning. Filipino painters, past and present continues to wow the audience with vivid masterpieces that not only entertain but communicate something.

There are paintings that signify the beauty and existence of nature. Nature is a great object of focus for an artist to work on. Other objects are people as well as architectures and shapes.

In Philippines there are many famous Filipinos who are outstanding in the field of painting like:

> Fernando Amorsolo
> Fabian dela Rosa
> Ang Kiukok
> Maningning Miclat
> Luis Eduardo Aute

Filipinos are known throughout the world because to be famous artists and Filipino painters are no exceptions.

Fernando Amorsolo was born in Paco, Manila on May 30, 1982. He was also one of the famous painters and portraitist in the Philippines because of his craftsmanship. He graduated at the Lyceum and the University of the Philippines. He earned a degree in Fine Arts with flying colors. He worked as a chief artist at the Pacific Commercial Company, draftsman in the Bureau of Public Works and also as a part-time instructor in the University of the Philippines. Enrique Zobel de Ayala gave him a grant to study at the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain. He married twice and had 14 children. Most of his paintings portrayed the Filipino culture, tradition, and customs like Filipino fiestas. He became popular because of his illuminated landscapes and his historical paintings on which you can see the real reflection of a Filipino soul. Some of his major works were:

* The Bombing of the Intendencia (1942)
* Bataan
* Assasination of Governor Bustamanta
* The Burning of Manila
* Afternoon Mealof the Workers (1939)
* Dalagand Bukid (1936)
* The Explosion (1944)
* The Mestiza (1943)
* Maiden in a Stream (1921)
* Princess Urduja
* Sunday Morning Going to Town
* The Rape of Manila (1942)

Fabian dela Rosa was the uncle the famous Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo. His aunt, Mariana dele Rosa was his first trainer in painting. When he studied at Escuelle de Bellas Artes y Dibujo he also received training from Agustin Saez and stayed in school for three years. He was also a recipient of a grant by Germinal Cigar Factory to study at Academie Julian in Paris, France. He was a fine arts teacher at the University of the Philippines and later became a director of the school. He painted more than 1000 art works which included:

* Women Working in a Rice Field
* The Death of General Lawton
* Transplanting Rice (1904)
* La Pintora (1926)
* La bordadora (1926)
* Landscape with Dark Trees
* Marikina Road (1939)
* View of Sta. Ana

Ang Kiukok was born in Davao, City on May 1, 1931. He was well known visual artist and is considered one of the National Artists of the Philippines. His parents were half Filipino and Chinese. He enrolled at the University of Sto. Thomas and met his mentor and lifelong friend Vicente Manansala. He used certain styles in his paintings like cubism, surrealism, and expressionism. He also painted multiple illustration of Christ's Crucifixion.

Maningning Miclat was born in Beijing, China on April 15, 1972 but she was a Filipino. She was well remembered because of her bamboo Zen paintings and her poetry. She spoke three languages, Filipino, English and Mandarin. She was a fellow of the University of the Philippines' National Writers Workshop and Siliman National Writers Workshop. Some of her poetry publications and painting were:
* Wo De Shi - The first book of poems published in 1987
* Maningning: An Exhibit of Chinese Brush Works - her first solo show of traditional Chinese painting.
* Trouble in Paradise - The second book of poetry which also had won the grand prize from the Art Association of the Philippines.
* Voice from the Underworld - A 2001 National Book Award Finalist.

Luis Eduardo Aute was born in Manila on September 13, 1943. His father was Spanish and his mother was a Filipina. He traveled at the age of 8 years old. He sang and interpreted the song Las Hojas Muertas (The Dead Leaves). He wrote his first poem at the age of 9 when he got influenced the movie entitled On the Waterfront.

These Filipino painters were the crème de la crème during their time yet still their works makes every Filipino feel proud.