Acclaimed painter Betsy Westendorp passes away
Renowned Spanish-Filipina artist Betsy Westendorp has passed away.
The Instituto Cervantes de Manila reported that the beloved painter died on November 23 at her home in Madrid.
“On Wednesday, November 23rd, our beloved Betsy Westendorp, a Spanish painter who made her name in the Philippines, passed away at her home in Aravaca,” the institution's post on Facebook read.
Betsy moved to the Philippines at the age of 21 when she married Spanish-Filipino Antonio Brias.
As an artist, she was known for her works of scenic landscapes and flowers, as well as her portraits of high society.
According to an article by Salcedo Auctions, Betsy was known as the “Pintora de Principes” in Spain as she painted the portraits of the royal children.
Aside from having exhibited in international and local galleries and institutions, Betsy was also awarded with cultural distinctions from both Spain and the Philippines.
She received the Lazo de Dama de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica (Order of Isabella the Catholic) from former King Juan Carlos and the Presidential Medal of Merit for Art and Culture from former President Gloria Arroyo.
