The Fruit Pickers Under the Mango Tree

This is the third and last painting analysis. My previous posts were about foreign painting, now let me present to you a local painting. :)

The Fruit Pickers Under the Mango Tree

Painted by Fernando Amorsolo

The artwork is entitled Fruit Pickers Under the Mango Tree. It was painted by Fernando Amorsolo a famous Filipino artist. It was made by using oil on 25 1/4 x 37 1/2 inches canvas and was finished at the year 1937.

As start, the painting consists of Filipino fruit harvesters. There are six of them - two at the left back side and four at right front. There is also a big mango tree in front and different sizes of baskets for the mangoes. One person, who has her back turned seems to be talking to the girl sitting. Others were totally engrossed to their work. The place is very bright as a green environment.

The artwork has a smooth texture, bright colors were often used than the dark ones. There were a lot of curved lines and very few straight lines. Also, the intensity of the painting is low due to light colors. It is not balanced: the right side has more weight than the left. Here, no spaces can be seen, everything has been filled and for that, there was no dull moment.

Fernando Amorsolo created this painting during the year 1937. This year was the rise of woman rights. Many events for the Filipinas occurred during that time. One, the Philippines held a plebiscite for Filipino women on whether they should be extended the right to suffrage; over 90% voted in the affirmative. Also, for the first ever,  Filipino women were given the right to vote during elections.

           

           He is also known for his illuminated landscapes which portrayed traditional Filipino customs, culture, fiestas and occupation. With this, he often paint Filipinas and shows their true beauty. He described Filipino women as having a rounded face, lively eyes and not the dreamy sleepy one; and having not a white nor dark-brown color, but a clear and fresh skin---an ideal Filipina beauty!

            

Two of the most distinctive features of his painting is the style of coloring and way of shading. The artwork also showed different principles of design. First, emphasis was especially given on one girl sitting under the tree. This was clearly shown because of the light that hits that particular object; The picture is not balanced: the right side has more weight than the left; Variety was not really given value in this artwork - almost all parts have the same stroke and manner. Movement among the characters can be seen – especially between the workers at the back; Different shades of light was obvious, and for that rhythm was visible; Lastly, it is harmonious and unified even though it is unbalanced. This gave the painting a more dramatic yet realistic effect.

             The artist, Amorsolo, created this artwork to show of the true value of Filipinos. They are hard-working yet happy of what they are doing. It was to also make the world aware about the true Filipina beauty. Overall, this painting was intended to show Filipino’s characteristic glow. This can be proven by looking at the characters in the painting. Not only that, taking a look back at the events proves it’s true meaning.

It is a very gorgeous artwork. For the criteria, we can say it’s the Technique, Meaning, Impact, and Theme. In my own judgement, I give it 9 for the technique; 10 for the Meaning; 8 for the Impact and 10 for the Theme.

For me, it is an artwork full of emotions for the beloved country and it’s citizens. I love how Amorsolo made it eye-catching. It is simple but a very gorgeous display of the characters. The way the mango tree was painted makes it significant for the whole work. The title is really fitting because It’s meaning can be easily interpreted by viewers and that is a good point. It means that Amorsolo reached out to touch hearts with painting.

Truly inspiring!