Victorio Candido Edades

Place: Dagupan

Born: 1895

Death: 1985

Biography:

Victorio Candido Edades, a Filipino painter, is renowned as the "father of Modern Philippine art". Born on December 23, 1895, in Barrio Bolosan, Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines, Edades led the revolutionary Thirteen Moderns, who engaged their classical compatriots in heated debate over the nature and function of art. He was named a National Artist in 1976.

Early Life and Education

Edades' artistic ability surfaced during his early years. By seventh grade, his teachers were so impressed with him that he was dubbed "apprentice teacher" in his art class. After high school, Edades traveled to the United States, where he enrolled at the University of Washington and earned a Master of Fine Arts in Painting. The significant event that stirred Edades was his encounter with the traveling exhibition from the New York Armory Hall, which presented modern European artists such as Cézanne, Gauguin, Matisse, and Picasso.

Artistic Career

Edades' growing appreciation for modernist thought encouraged experimentation in artistic expression, allowing him to present reality as he saw it in his own way. When he returned to the Philippines in 1928, he recognized that the state of art was "practically dead". Paintings dealt with similar themes and were done in a limited technique that mostly followed the works of Fernando Amorsolo. Edades bravely mounted a one-man show at the Philippine Columbia Club in Ermita to introduce his modern art. He showed thirty paintings, including those that won acclaim in America. Key aspects of Edades' artistic career:

• He led the revolutionary Thirteen Moderns, who engaged their classical compatriots in heated debate over the nature and function of art.
• He was named a National Artist in 1976.
• He introduced an entirely new way of thinking about art, arguing that art can be more than representation of reality.

Legacy

Edades' legacy as the "father of Modern Philippine art" is evident in his contributions to the development of modern art in the Philippines. His introduction of modernist thought and experimentation in artistic expression paved the way for future generations of Filipino artists. For more information on Edades and his works, visit Victorio Candido Edades or Wikipedia. Some of his notable works can be found in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Department of Architecture, which he helped organize in 1930. Edades' artistic career is a testament to his innovative spirit and contributions to modern Philippine art. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, as seen in the works of other notable Filipino artists such as Benedicto Reyes Cabrera. For a deeper understanding of Edades' artistic style and influences, explore the Philippine Columbia Club and its role in introducing modern art to the Philippines. The University of Washington, where Edades earned his Master of Fine Arts in Painting, also played a significant role in shaping his artistic career. Edades' story serves as an inspiration to artists and art enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of innovation and experimentation in artistic expression. His legacy continues to be celebrated through his works and the impact he had on modern Philippine art. Visit Galería William Morris or Juan Luna De San Pedro Y Novicio Ancheta for more information on notable artists and their works.