THE WOMEN OF AMORSOLO

Philippine National Artist Fernando Amorsolo was fascinated with the idea of an ideal Filipina (female Filipino) image.  To this end, he used many carefully selected models to portray his vision.  Although Amorsolo did portraits and images of Mestiza women as well (women of mixed blood, usually with Spanish or American lineage), most of his depictions capture what he imagined to be the quintessential, pure blooded Filipina beauty.  

These depictions of the ideal Filipina beauty were usually expressed either in the form of a bathing nude, a peasant farm worker, or the seller of produce.  

Amorsolo Female Nudes

Unlike many Western Artists who depicted nude women in their canvases, Amorsolo opted for a much more modest translation of this genre.  It was rare that you would have a full frontal image of the nude beauty, but instead she might be seen from the backside, or topless at an angle to the viewer's perspective.  Inevitably these nude figures would be busy working their chores, whether it was washing clothing, bathing themselves, or caring for children.  

Since until recent times there was little running water in the Philippine provinces, it was common for these provincial women to go down to a nearby stream or river to do their laundry.  These clothes washing woman are known even today as "Lavanderas", and they would also take the opportunity of being at the water to bathe themselves, as well as gather water to return to home with for practical purposes (cooking, washing, etc.).  The water was conveyed in a Bangka, or clay pot, which are also commonly seen in Amorsolo's works.   

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Amorsolo also did a series of nude women in "pin-up" poses, very similar to the style of Playboy Magazine artist Alberto "Vargas".  These were probably done as a source of quick income for the artist, and likely were executed at the request of American men visiting or working in the Philippines who admired Vargas' work.  Typically, these paintings are unfinished and on smaller canvases, with a splash of color highlighting a reclining nude Philippine beauty.  

Proud Women in Philippine Traditional Clothing

Whether it be on a farm, walking on the roadside, or in a pretty pose, Amorsolo loved to paint the ideal Filipina in traditional costume.  This usually consisted of a skirt with gold and dark purple colored stripes, a white blouse, and a bandana (or neatly kept black hair).   Farm workers or those working near the ocean, might have more simple clothing, often with a large hat (or bandana) to keep back the severe mid-day sun.  

Many of Amorsolo's paintings of this type, are happy, posed young women who flash a modest smile at the viewer.  Other than in Amorsolo's war paintings (circa WW2), where he emphasized the great grief that many Filipinas were sufferering, almost all of his other paintings show the subjects as being content with their lot in life.  Despite their dreary toil on the farm or in other occupations, both female and male figures appear to be very satisfied in being productive and contributing to their family and society in the best way they were able.  This appears to be a message that Amorsolo wanted to impart to the rest of the world - the strength and eternal optimism of the common Philippine people.  

A popular painting that Amorsolo did often in the late 1920's and 1930's, speaks well to the concept of happiness in the completion of everyday chores.  In the painting, the "Bangka Girl", Amorsolo shows a young maiden in traditional Philippine garb, on her way home after fetching water.  She is usually depicted next to a stream where she likely had just filled the large clay Bangka jar that she is dutifully carrying home.  Although this trip must have happened several times a day, and the Bangka filled with water was undoubtably heavy, the young girl makes her way home with determined haste.   There is no trace of regret or self-pity in her stance, but instead the peace of one who dutifully completes the tasks expected of her, in support of her family's needs.  

Amorsolo was truly a champion of Philippine women, wanting to ensure that the world saw them favorably through his eyes on canvas.  Though the unbreakable backbone of Filipino society and everyday life, their internal peace and contentment in spite of their numerous burdens, showed through vividly in their satisfied expressions.    These images of beautifully proud Filipinas are amongst the most coveted of his paintings.