Victorio c edades short biography

Filipino painter (1895–1985)

Victorio Candido Edades (December 23, 1895 – March 7, 1985) was a Filipinopainter. He led the revolutionary Thirteen Moderns, who engaged their classical compatriots in heated debate over the nature and function of art. He was named a National Artist in 1976. The history names Victorio Edades as “the father of Modern Philippine art". Schooled in the US upon his return he introduced an entirely new way of thinking about art. He argued that art can be more than representation of reality, it can be representation of reality as seen through the mind and emotions of the artist.

Biography

Victorio Edades was born on December 23, 1895, to Hilario and Cecilia Edades. He was the youngest of ten children (six of whom died of smallpox). He grew up in Barrio Bolosan in Dagupan, Pangasinan. His artistic ability surfaced during his early years. By seventh grade, his teachers were so impressed with him that he was dubbed "apprentice teacher" in his art class. He was also an achiever from the very beginning, having won awards in school debates and writing competitions.

Later career

After high school, Edades and his friends traveled to the United States. Before enrolling in Seattle, Edades incidentally made a detour to Alaska and experienced working in a couple of factories. Nonetheless, he moved on to Seattle and enrolled at the Universi

The #NationalMuseumPh celebrates the 126 birth anniversary of National Artist for Painting Victorio Edades, born #OnThisDay in 1895 by featuring his portrait, “Modern Maria Clara” from the National Museum of Fine Arts collection.  

This oil on canvas painting, completed in 1958, is a portrait of a Filipina depicted as the modern version of Maria Clara.  Maria Clara is a prominent character from Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.  She was portrayed as the traditional, feminine, conservative, and charming lady described by Rizal as the ideal Filipina. In the portrait, the lady is wearing a Filipino fashion ensemble of multi-clothing known as the Maria Clara gown.  Edades have portrayed this lady as the modern Maria Clara in his time.

Victorio Edades was born to Hilario Edades and Cecilia Edades on December 23, 1895 in Dagupan Pangasinan.  He studied his early education in his hometown. In 1893, he left for the US to study architecture and fine arts at the University of Washington in Seattle.  Edades had been exposed to the Western artistic styles that led him to deviate from his academic style.  He returned to the Philippines in 1928 with new influences, met and worked with Carlos V. Francisco and Galo Ocampo. They formed the first triumvirate in Philippine modern art.  In the same year, he had his first solo exhibition at Philippine Columbian Club in Ermita, Manila. He held more exhibitions and participated in group shows locally and internationally.  He taught architectural design and history at Mapua Institute of Design and Technology in 1929 and also helped establish the College of Architecture and Fine Arts in UST.  Together with HR Ocampo and Diosdado Lorenzo, they formed the Atelier of Modern Art in 1937. He married Jean Garrott, an American, teaching English and drama at the University of the Philippines.  Edades was proclaimed National Artist for Painting in

Victorio Edades Edades, "The Sketch," 1928, oil on canvas

Buying Victorio Edades paintings – Highest Prices Paid:  Artist Bio & images follow:

VICTORIO EDADES EDADES (b. Dagupan, Pangasinan, Dec. 23, 1895, d. March 7, 1985)

Victorio Edades Edades was the son of Hilario Edades and Cecilia Edades. He was the youngest of 10 children, 6 of whom died of smallpox. He received his early education in barrio schools. By 7th grade he was considered the “apprentice teacher” in art class due to his talent.

After high school, Edades and his friends traveled to the United States. Before enrolling in Seattle, Edades incidentally made a detour to Alaska and experienced working in salmon canneries. Nonetheless, he moved on to Seattle and enrolled at the University of Washington where he took up architecture and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Painting.

He married Jean Garrott, an American who also later taught English and drama at the University of the Philippines.

In 1922 the travelling exhibit of the Armory show opened his eyes and that of the American public to the artistic ferment in Europe led by Cezanne, Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso’, Duchamp, the surrealists, and the Dadaists. While it drew outcries from the conservative public, it gave Edades the artistic direction he was looking for. Deviating from the academic style, while retaining some of its characteristics, he executed two paintings in 1928: “The Sketch,” (also called “The Artist and His Model”) and “The Builders.”

When Edades returned to the Philippines in 1928, he embarked on his crusade to change the course of Philippine art which was then dominated by painter Fernando Amorsolo and sculptor Guillermo Tolentino.

Barely a month after his return he had a one person show in December at the Philippine Columbian Club. It was met with shock and disdain by a public accustomed to Amorsolo’