A Critique Paper

Afternoon Meal of the Rice Workers

Fernando Amorsolo

DESCRIPTION

Fernando Amorsolo, a Filipino artist best known for his craft and
mastery of light, created Afternoon Meal of the Rice Workers in 1958.
The medium of this painting is an oil on canvas painting with the size
of 22 x 30 inches (56 cm x 76 cm). The sunny, light colors in the
painting gave it a natural outdoor lighting. The colors used to paint the
distant mountains made the trees surrounding the fields appear lush
and pleasing to the eyes. The painting also shows men and women
working in a field. One woman can be seen cooking in a pot, which is a
traditional method. While another woman is breastfeeding under the
tree, an elderly woman and an elderly man appear to be taking a break
from their work. The mood and other visual effects of this painting
portrays the beauty of nature and simplicity of life for Filipinos in the
countryside. The painting also captures Filipina modesty as they wear
traditional attire.

ANALYSIS

Color, form, texture, values, space, and shape were all art
elements present in the painting. It has a sunny light color with the
brightness and contrast of each color used prominent. There is a
bright, golden rice field present, but the trees contrasted it with a
darker color. The use of a dark color also produced a realistic-looking
shadow, particularly under the tree. The color palette is a mix of a
bright, light, dull, and dark hues that make the painting look realistic
and alive. Amorsolo idealized both nature and native beauty in his
sunny and colorful depictions of the Philippine landscape.

INTERPRETATION

Amorsolo spent his childhood in the countryside, which inspired

him to create paintings depicting provincial life. I believe he intended to
show the audience the simplicity of the lifestyle of those Filipinos who
live in the countryside with this painting. He wanted to depict beautiful
and realistic scenes such as the one depicted in this painting. This
painting depicts the Filipinos’ lifestyle, culture, nature, and way of life.
What we can see in our daily lives can be captured, painted, and
created into an aesthetically work of art. Amorsolo, like this landscape,
tells a story about himself and how peaceful and simple life was in the
countryside during his time. Afternoon Meal of the Rice Workers also
tells the audience how hard a life of a farmer is. In the painting, you
can see the hard work and the efforts of the farmers just to gain
 something. Their job is difficult but they’re doing it because they have
to.

JUDGEMENT

The painting was able to depict the elements and principles of life.
It feels like it’s persuading its viewers to get out there and live a simple
and peaceful life with the refreshing beauty of nature. Also, the
painting honors the pride of the Filipinos. It acknowledged the life
practices of the workers living in the countryside and from there, a
formation of Filipino identity was made that even foreign citizens would
recognize. This, in my opinion, is the painting's strong point. But the
woman cradling the baby sends a confusing message, which is where
it falls short. It was challenging for me to relate the image to the piece's
title.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

5 4 3 2 1
Excellent Very Good Fair Poor
Good
Interpretation The painting
and clarity of could be easily
the theme to its interpreted by its
viewers viewers.
Originality, The painting had
uniqueness, an original theme
and and showed
creativity creativity through
its different
elements.
Overall The painting is
impression of pleasing to the
the art eyes and depicts
a meaningful
scene.