Man with Roosters (Vendedor de Gallos)
Painting on canvas or board • Attributed to the Manila School / Neo-Realist circle (Manner of Vicente Manansala or Ang Kiukok)
Style & Movement
Modernism, specifically Cubist-Expressionism or Philippine Neo-Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil or heavy acrylic, applied with palette knife and broad brushes using an impasto technique to create geometric facets.
Creation Period
Circa 1950s - 1970s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
A stylized portrait of a man, likely a vendor or farmer, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and holding or surrounded by roosters. The composition uses fragmented planes and a somber earthy palette to depict the laborer's strength and the rural cycle of life.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; Visible surface craquelure and heavy impasto peaks that may be brittle.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $4,500 (depending on definitive confirmation of artist identity)
Auction Estimate
$1,000 - $3,000
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a private collection in Southeast Asia or a secondary market dealer specializing in Mid-Century Modernism.
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the mid-20th-century shift toward social realism combined with international Cubist influences, a hallmark of the Filipino 'Thirteen Moderns' movement which sought to redefine national identity through bold, non-academic forms.
Notable Features
Highly tactile surface texture; distinctive use of 'Transparent Cubism' facets in the shirt area; strong diagonal composition leading to the fowls in the foreground.
Condition Issues
Visible cracking in areas of thick paint application (impasto), possible yellowing of varnish, and minor pigment loss at the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove surface dust from impasto crevices; stabilize flaking paint; house in a deep shadow-box frame to protect the texture.