Why is Fernando Amorsolo called the 'Grand Old Man of Philippine Art?'

The late National Artist in Painting, Fernando Amorsolo is recognized as the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art." Ever wondered why?

According to Kuya Kim on "24 Oras," Tuesday, Amorsolo earned the name due to his significant contributions to Philippine art.

Dr. Tyrone Nepomuceno, a historian, said in the report that he is also the first National Artist of the Philippines in any field.

"Siya ang pinakaunang National Artist ng Pilipinas sa kahit anong larangan. Ang kanyang mga obra ay nagpapakita ng kagandahan ng Pilipinas, ng buhay ng Pilipino, ang kagandahan ng ating kalikasan, at 'yung mga values ng Pilipino," Nepomuceno said. "Halimbawa nga dito 'yung painting niya na ang title ay 'Bayanihan.'"

Amorsolo was mentored by his uncle, Fabian de la Rosa, a famous painter himself. He graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman's School of Fine Arts and became a scholar at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain, in 1916.

Nepomuceno also said that Amorsolo studied the works of great Spanish painters while in Spain. Upon his return, most of his paintings' themes centered on the Philippines.

Amorsolo's paintings captured scenes of rural life in the Philippines, as well as traditional customs, landscapes, and portraits.

Recently, an 88-year-old painting by Amorsolo was stolen at the Hofileña Museum in Silay, Negros Occidental, which was first reported by the Silay Heritage via Facebook last Friday.

Per GMA Regional TV's Aileen Pedreso in "24 Oras Weekend," the 1936 painting, "Mango Harvesters," was stolen last Wednesday, July 3, when the museum had a large number of visitors.

On Tuesday's "24 Oras," Rene Hofileña, administrator of the museum, said that it seemed that the two suspects did their research before stealing the painting. The museum's CCTV was able to capture the two suspects, who boarded a pedicab afterwards.

Silay City Police Station's Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca said that the pedicab driver also witnessed the suspects, and that the police has identified the face of one of the two suspects. He also said that the police are waiting to meet with the Hofileña family to know what decision they will take, adding that the possible case for this incident is theft.

Meanwhile, Nepomuceno added that it's important for the painting to be returned because it is priceless.

"Mahalaga maibalik 'to dahil, una, gawa ito ng isang National Artist. Priceless ito. Bahagi ito ng ating kasaysayan at hindi ito mapapalitan ng kahit anong iba pang paintings," said Nepomuceno.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News