Here is the full statement of the National Museum of the Philippines:
“We recently confirmed the identity of the National Artist Fernando Amorsolo’s previously unknown sitter for his last portrait painting commission. Passing away in April 24, 1972, the 79-year old Amorsolo was not able to complete it. Her name is Florencia Singson Gonzalez-Belo, the late mother of the famous dermatologist Dr. Vicki Belo. This unfinished painting was part of the donation made by Amorsolo’s widow Maria del Carmen Amorsolo that included his studio furniture, memorabilia and more than 100 studies and drawings.
In March 2016 as we were preparing for a donation of a statue by Guillermo Tolentino from the President Manuel Roxas Foundation, we gave Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas a tour around the National Museum of Fine Arts. She pointed out that the last portrait of Amorsolo was “Nena” Belo. Although she was certain, it was important for the Museum to apply due diligence in establishing its provenance based on research through archival data, interviews and connecting with our network who might have known Mrs. Gonzalez-Belo.
It took more than two years to convince the Belo family through our friend and film director Quark Henares, Dr. Belo’s son, to help us verify the identity of the portrait. Finally, a few weeks ago, Dr. Belo visited with her family, including her husband Dr. Hayden Kho, and daughters Cristalle Henares and Scarlet Snow Kho. Someone must have told them that Scarlet looks a little like the son of Juan Luna who was fondly called “Luling” (who became an eminent architect Andres Luna de San Pedro). The family went to see Luling’s painting in our gallery devoted to Luna and his contemporary Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. As it happens, there seems quite a likeness between him and Scarlet.
Here is the link to a YouTube feature from the perspective of Dr. Belo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOpvROj6hZw.
©The National Museum of the Philippines (2018)”
(Photo source: Instagram – @victoria_belo/ Facebook – @nationalmuseumofthephilippines)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login