3 years ago I asked my father in law to reproduce his second ” Girl With A Pearl Earring ” by
( by Johannes Vermeer) for me, because I really love to have that painting. He had made a reproduction in the past but has given it away to someone who has no understanding whatsoever of the painting (lucky lucky person indeed!) or who Johannes Vermeer was in the Dutch History.
I am not going to say that I know the whole history behind J. Vermeer because I don’t. But when I saw his paintings at Mauritshuis (Museum in Den Haag) I became an instant Vermeer fan. And before I realize it, my father in law has reproduced his paintings and 2 still hang in his house. But not the one that I want.
Unfortunately, it is still unfinished. My father in law has lost the flexibility of his fingers and could no longer hold his brushes, which frustrates him endlessly. The unfinished painting stands on top of his paint desk and has remained so for the past 2 years. I told my father in law that I still want to have it, finished or not. The important thing is, that he tried to paint it…for me.
Unfinished “Girl With A Pearl Earring” (known as the Mona Lisa of the North)
These paintings are hanging on the walls of the Philippine Embassy in The Hague. I had to get a new passport and when I saw these paintings by Filipino Artists, I knew that I just had to take some photos. Fortunately I was given permission to do so. I think the most fortunate thing was, that I had my camera with me!
By the way, I also met two Filipino artists while I was at the embassy, one was Mr. Edwin Edralin whose work (one of them) was featured here and Mr. Manuel Baldemor (if you will google his name, you’ll see his work for sure.)
This first painting would greet you when you enter the consulate room, quite an impressive and big painting to miss.
I was told this was finished by several artists within an hour and painted right there at the embassy. Unfortunately I only remembered two of the artists ‘ names, Aris Bagtas (one sample of his painting) and Fidel Sarmiento.
If you look closely on top of the canvas, you’ll see what seems like a masking tape, but that’s actually painted. I thought that was so cool!
The bottom painting is owned by Helen Guevarra (attache and finance officer) and hangs in her office. I was not able to take picture of the whole canvas because the room was so small and I only had my 105mm macro lens, I didn’t had the needed room to move.
title (if I’m not mistaken) ” Magkai-Vigan”
I wish to extend my HELLO to Ms. Helen Guevarra, Ms. Mila Monje and Mr. Edwin Edralin, How are you doing guys?!!
Reproduced Still Life by my father-in-law. This is one of my favorite works of him which is beautifully displayed in our living room. I love the window reflection, can you see it?
A small piece of the frame showing at the right lower part and father-in-law’s initial “JS” at the right side as well.
F.I.L. never had any formal lesson in painting, he relied solely on his imagination and pictures of what he wanted to paint.
chef
