Vicente Silva Manansala

Place: Macabebe

Born: 1910

Death: 1981

Biography:

Vicente Silva Manansala was a noted Filipino cubist painter and illustrator, born in Macabebe, Pampanga, Philippines in 1910. He is considered one of the most important artists in the development of modern Filipino art.

Early Life and Education

Manansala studied at the U.P. School of Fine Arts from 1926 to 1930. He received a six-month grant by UNESCO in 1949 to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Banff and Montreal, Canada. In 1950, he received a nine-month scholarship to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris by the French government.

Artistic Style

Manansala's canvases were described as masterpieces that brought the cultures of the barrio and the city together. His Madonna of the Slums is a portrayal of a mother and child from the countryside who became urban shanty residents once in the city. In his Jeepneys, Manansala combined the elements of provincial folk culture with the congestion issues of the city. Manansala developed transparent cubism, wherein the delicate tones, shapes, and patterns of figure and environment are masterfully superimposed. A fine example of Manansala using this transparent and translucent technique is his composition, Kalabaw.

Influences and Legacy

Vicente Manansala, a National Artist of the Philippines in Visual Arts, was a direct influence to his fellow Filipino neo-realists: Malang, Angelito Antonio, Norma Belleza, and Baldemor. The Honolulu Museum of Art, the Lopez Memorial Museum, the Philippine Center, the Singapore Art Museum, and Holy Angel University are among the public collections holding work by Vicente Manansala. Manansala died in 1981, but his legacy lives on through his art. His work can be found at https://Wikioo.org/@/Vicente-Silva-Manansala, where you can view his Oil On Canvas artworks and learn more about his life and career.

• Manansala's artwork can be viewed at the Honolulu Museum of Art, which is one of the largest museums in Hawaii.
• The Lopez Memorial Museum also holds a collection of Manansala's work, showcasing his unique cubist style.
• Manansala's art can be found at https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/O/A@D3B8EF, where you can learn more about his life and career.

Manansala's contribution to the development of modern Filipino art is undeniable. His unique style and technique have influenced many artists, and his work continues to be celebrated today. As a noted artist, Manansala's legacy will live on through his art, inspiring future generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike.