Bamboo
signed and dated 1955 (lower right)
watercolor on paper
13” x 8” (33 cm x 20 cm)

Provenance:
Private Collection, Manila

Iconic in every sense of the word, Manansala has put on display hiscreative and technical prowess time and again throughout his entire body of work. Of note are his watercolor creations, which feature scenes of the countryside and similar idylls.

Just as in this work from 1955, Manansala uses his medium with suchgreat restrain — the translucence of watercolor so elegantly giving vibrance and allure to the composition, ultimately adding to the realist aesthetic of the piece. Such translucent quality of watercolor bore inspiration for Manansala’s cubism, and could very well be a precursor for which.

This very work is a truly masterful rendition of by the National Artist, in his most revered medium.