FELIX RESURRECTION HIDALGO Y PADILLA (Philippines,... Lot 93

FELIX RESURRECTION HIDALGO Y PADILLA (Philippines, 1855 – Spain, 1913). "Portrait of a Lady", circa 1879. Oil on canvas glued to tablex. It presents several repaints, especially in the hair area. Signed in the lower left corner. Measures: 55 x 46 cm. In this delicate work made in an oval format, the author collects the bust of a young woman, placed in profile with respect to the spectator. The girl is set against a neutral gradient background that oscillates between ochre and dark tones, on which the face of the protagonist stands out, regal and defined by the pearly skin, which becomes a technical resource that brings luminosity to the scene. In this portrait the artist emphasises the sitter's personality, making a psychological study of the model. He depicts the woman with great distinction and sobriety, values that convey an austere and proud personality, aware of her privileged social position, a characteristic that is in turn defined by the clothes and the delicacy of her hair. Resurrección applied a short, precise brushstroke to the drawing and, despite the fact that it is an almost monochrome portrait, he brought luminosity to the flesh tones and the young woman's gaze. The technical characteristics of the work indicate that this piece belongs to the period in which the artist travelled to Madrid, thanks to a grant awarded to him by the Manila Government. Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo y Padilla was a Filipino artist, recognised as one of the great Filipino painters of the late 19th century, and is significant in Philippine history for having been known and inspired by members of the Philippine reformist movement that included Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Mariano Ponce and Graciano Lopez. Jaena, though not directly involved in that movement, did not later associate himself with the First Philippine Republic under Emilio Aguinaldo. His winning of the silver medal at the Fine Arts Exposition in Madrid in 1884, along with the gold medal of Filipino painter Juan Luna, sparked a celebration that was an important milestone in the memories of members of the Philippine reform movement. He studied law at the University of Santo Tomas, although he did not finish, as he switched from law to philosophy, finishing in 1871. While studying philosophy he simultaneously enrolled in the School of Drawing and Painting. In 1876 he exhibited for the first time at the Circus Theatre in Bilibid before they were sent to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that year. In 1879 he went to Spain as a pensioner in fine arts to the Manila City Council and years later in 1884 he won the silver medal at the General Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid and three years later he was awarded the gold medal at the General Exhibition of the Philippine Islands held in Madrid. This recognition led to a long career of success and decorations, and he exhibited in both Paris and the United States. In fact, in 1912 he returned to the Philippines after thirty years, staying in his city for a period of six months and then returning to Paris to continue his artistic activity. However, a year later, in 1913, due to illness, he moved to Sarriá (Barcelona), where he finally died.