4 replies to this topic

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The following information was received from Nilo Gorospe, of the Nilgor Art Gallery in Malate, City of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines:


BIOGRAPHY OF PACO GOROSPE:


"A MAN CHOSEN FOR HIS TIME. A LEGEND OF ART PAINTINGS. A TRUE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO..."


It has long been said that the Fililipino painter has a bright future. In the whole of Asia, the Philippines has the most beautiful paintings, sold at the most reasonable prices. This situation is made possible by by the Filipino painter's dedication and true love of art, which is vital to the country's art developement.


Born Francisco Gorospe in Binondo Manila on July 10, 1939. Paco Found a way to go far South, to the Visayas and Mindanao, as a young adult and spend about 3 years there. He was happy to observe their different cultures and ways and these are reflected in many of his paitings.

A self-made artist he was associated with the Ermita School. Initially Paco experimented with crayons and water colors then he turned to painting in oils. He put his heart into all his works, in wich he took the utmost plesure. Paco belived this was the deepest style of paiting. He added, "It is through a long transition period which involves experimentation and observation that an artist finally developes his own style."

In 1962 Paco's works were exhibited at the washington state fair and since then there has been a demand for his paitings in the United States. In 1964 Paco's works were chosen to represent the Philippines at the New York World Fair. In the same year, his oil painting, "THE FLOWER VENDORS" was selected for the ESSO Mobile magazine. Thereafter, Paco had sucessfull exhibitions in Berlin, Germany, Denmark, etc. In 1990 he was commisioned by Philippine Airlines to paint the covers for the playing cards, which they gave to PAL passengers.

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Paco Gorospe painting - (Cigarette Vendor)
Seen at AP Art Gallery in Ermita, Manila - December, 2004

More Paco Gorospe Paintings can beviewed in the artfreaks.com Gallery at:
Members Gallery > smb > Paco Gorospe Paintings

Paco Gorospe paintings can be purchased online in the artfreaks.com Art and Photography Store at:
Paco Gorospe paintings

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The following is part of an e-mail reply to a potential customer, regarding one of the Paco Gorospe paintings that I have for sale in the: artfreaks.com Art and Photography Store

(I don't often get around to writing and, since this provides some interesting background material on Paco Gorospe, I decided to post it here for posterity!

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Regarding the authenticity of the painting, I have absolutely no doubt at all as to its originality. Paco sold many paintings directly to both AP Art Gallery and Ruffee Art Gallery, (among others,)  in Ermita, Manila. You will be surprised just how many totally original Paco Gorospe paintings are still held by the various galleries of Ermita and Malate. Let's face it, although his paintings are very clearly a cut above the rest, at the end of the day he was still a Mabini artist - churning out his paintings for a living. In fact, I know one gallery in Malate that still have some blank white canvasses of Paco's. The gallery weren't too happy with the subject matter or whatever of some recent deliveries form the artist, so they had him paint them over in order to be able to re-use the canvasses. Unfortunately, before Paco was able to produce new paintings for the gallery, the artist was dead! (I believe the gallery keep those blank canvasses to this day, in the hope that one day, a solution may be devised that can remove the white and expose the underlying painting!)

My advice is to get yourself across to Manila and buy directly from one of the galleries. To be quite honest, I am really fond of my Sari Manok and I ought at least to keep one or two Paco Gorospe paintings for my collection. However, if you are really interested in the painting, I could get AP Art Gallery to issue me a letter of authenticity?

Regarding your question about further research on the Internet - As far as I am aware, Paco Gorospe did not have ANY of his paintings registered before selling. So other than commissions that customers may have had registered - and stuff that professional dealers and collectors have bought, I doubt very much if you would find anything on that particular painting, (the Sari Manok that I have listed in my store,) on the net?




Thanks again!



Vic Rolfe

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The following info. on some Paco Gorospe paintings for sale online, was received by e-mail from Pete, in Texas:


Subject:  someone has a  24 x 24 Paco for $8 0 0, u.s.

http://www.modcats.c...=art-framed.php

another one 37 x 37 $1400

http://www.modcats.c...=art-framed.php

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I received the following inquiry regarding the art of Paco Gorospe. I am reproducing it here as I am sure that there are many, many people who own a Paco Gorospe painting, (acquired in the days before he became famous) - and they would like to know more about the artist...

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I have two framed oil canvas paintings by the above artist. I do not know the name of them, but they are very similar to the one shown on your photo-strip - supplied by Lisa Arenberg. It is untitled - looks like a group of Filipino workers (men) in white working with perhaps fabrics, or fish net???. The one I have matches almost perfectly, but with only five workers in the scene. I have another that looks like Filpino women workers preparing and placing items into baskets or bins - possibly fish??

They measures approximately 26 X 18, and are in good shape - the frames are either intentionally distressed, or have been knocked around a bit, not sure.

Is there a market for these pictures? They were given to me over ten years ago and I would like to find a good home for them. Can you advise me if you, or someone you know has an interest in purchasing them?

Here's my reply, (for what it is worth!):

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There certainly is a market for your paintings. Cash price in a Manila gallery would be around PHP 30,000 (US$ 620) You could get more on e-bay.

People think that Paco Gorospe was some kind of icon but, in his day, he was only a simple "Mabini Artist" - although there is absolutely no doubt; he was one of the better ones. And, like any other Mabini Artists, Paco painted a lot of "variations on a theme." He had to make a living!! So yes, you will find many Paco Gorospe paintings that are almost identical. Same thing with Fernando Amorsolo - and his paintings are worth a lot more than Paco's!!

If you can e-mail me some digital images, I'll be very happy to upload them to my album of Paco Gorospe paintings at artfreaks.com. I can include any contact details that you specify - or I can just indicate that the paintings may be for sale and any potential buyer can contact me in the first instance, then I'll forward the inquiry on to yourself...