Low Tide (Matabungkay)
signed (lower right)ca. 1970
acrylic on canvas
32" x 51" (81 cm x 130 cm)
Accompanied by a certificate issued by Fundacion Sansóconfirming the authenticity of this lot


LITERATURELaya, Jaime C., Mariano C. Lao, and Edilberto B. Bravo. HiddenTreasures, Simple Pleasures. Makati City: Bookhaven Inc., 2009.Full-color illustration and photo caption page 73.
The vividly surreal works of acclaimed artist Juvenal Sanso never fail to enchant and enthrall the viewer's imagination. By applying a layer of ingenuity to his subjects, Sanso breathes life into the otherworldly yet familiar flora that inhabit his canvas. The result is a spectacularly rendered world that is both refreshingly novel, yet distinctly familiar. In this particular piece, Sanso turns his attention towards one of the Philippines’ original summer destinations: Matabungkay Beach. Though advancements in travel and new developments have diversified one’s vacation choices, this quaint stretch of coastline nestled along the Western side of Batangas province has undoubtedly acted as the centerpiece for many sun-kissed memories. First discovered in the 1950s by German immigrants, the development of the area in the 1960s quickly turned it into a tourist spot among the locals and those residing in the nearby provinces of Laguna and Cavite. By the 1980s and 1990s tourists from Manila began to flock to the area due to its relative distance from the capital, making it the ultimate destination for yuppies, college students, and even families looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Though Matabungkay’s hay day has come and gone, one can see Sanso’s work as a vestige and reminder of the once perfect vacation destination. (J.D.)