BLANCO, ANTONIO (1911-1999)

“Nude By Degas, Wine Bottle & Citrons” (1960)
mixed media
42.5 x 38m
Signed lower right
*private collection, Sydney
 
Blanco is a famous, iconic Spanish-born Indonesian Painter. After completing high school in Manila, Blanco studied at the National Academy of Art in New York under Sidney Dickinson. During those early formative years, Blanco concentrated on the human form, fascinated by the female body more than any other subject matter. To further his studies and ignite his traveling spirit, he traveled extensively throughout the world before he finally landed in Bali in 1952.The King of Ubud gave Blanco a piece of land to set up his home and studio in Campuan, Ubud, at the confluence of two sacred rivers. Blanco was well known for his stunning nude studies of local Balinese women. He received numerous awards, including the Tiffany Fellowship (special award from The Society of Honolulu Artists), Chevalier du Sahametrai of Cambodia, the Society of Painters of Fine Art Quality of President Sukarno and the Prize of the Art Critique in Spain. Antonio was also awarded the order of Cruz de Caballero from the King of Spain Juan Carlos I, giving him the title of "Don" in front of his name. His works were collected by several Royal families, and celebrities such as Ingrid Bergman and Michael Jackson. The Blanco Renaissance Museum was opened in 1998 showcasing his life's work. 
 
This impressive, early missed media was produced on the artist's honeymoon in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1960. Blanco recalls "I can see that my thoughts ran into spherical forms! The phallic symbol of the bottle, the round Citron forms... And of course the figure obediently bending over". This was a man in love!!