Fabian Cueto de la Rosa

was born on May 5, 1869 and died on December 14, 1937. He is the brightest name in Philippine painting after Luna and certainly the leading master of genre in the first quarter of the century. Particularly noted for being an outstanding painter of women’s portraits, alongside Juan Luna and his nephews, Pablo and Fernando Amorsolo. He was also a recipient of a grant by Germinal Cigar Factory to study at Academie Julian in Paris, France. He was a fine arts teacher at the University of the Philippines and later became a director of the school. He painted more than 1000 art works. In 1904, He won his first gold medal for Planting Rice, in the St. Louis Exposition.

Fabian Cueto de la Rosa

“Planting Rice”

1919

Oil on Canvas

109.2x190.6 cm

Planting rice is a communal activity where everyone gets involved in this labor-intensive project. In the first period, De La Rosa's emphasis is academic, detailing figures while paying little attention to atmosphere. Notable works from this period include "Transplanting Rice," which won De La Rosa the gold medal at the International Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904.

I chose this artwork because he painted landscapes, portraits, and everyday scenes with women depicted as simple yet regal in doing daily activities such as cleaning out clay pots, weaving, chatting, going to church, washing clothes by the river, and even planting in the rice fields. De la Rosa’s style has never changed despite his exposure to Europe.