39. FAKING AMORSOLO: Discovering Philippine Scam Art

 I recently acquired this 20 X 30 painting, entitled “Fiesta”, painted by a certain M. Casañas, and dated June 1956. It is a typical painting of that time, with a very common Filipiniana visual theme, painted in the realist style. The 51 year-old painting was also “well-lit”, Amorsolo-esque at first glance, but devoid of the softness of strokes characteristic of the master's works. Nevertheless, I was charmed by the effusive composition, vivid color and most of all, the vintage appeal of the period piece, choosing it over small works of the more well-known Miguel Galvez, J.D. Castro and Elias Laxa, despite a surprisingly higher price tag.

 It was then that the gallery owner let me in on a story about the artist that had enough suspense and mystery to fill a thriller movie. Mario Casañas (he wasn’t even sure of his 1st name), was an artist who actively painted all his life—from the late 30s to the 70s. He was one of the “Mabini painters” in Ermita, a group appellation that was met with derision at that time—as these painters catered primarily to the tourist trade, painting on demand, rendering subjects upon their client’s request. His contemporaries included Oscar Navarro, Romeo Enriquez, Oscar Espiritu, Crispin V. Lopez and Elias Laxa.

Casañas though didn’t just paint originals; he also started copying the works of Fernando Amorsolo. Whether this was mandated by clients or done on his own volition cannot be ascertained. What was sure was that he regularly churned out Amorsolo forgeries that found willing buyers and believers in the local art market. His competitors were incensed at this practice, and it is said that one colleague in the trade found his tricks so repugnant (or was he jealous of his art, however fraudulent?) that he ordered a hitman to kill the artist in the 70s.

 Today, one can’t find the name of M. Casañas in Philippine art books. There is no trace of him except in hush-hush oral stories remembered and recounted by aging gallery owners and painters, and in rare pieces of works such as this one that now hangs in my living room, signed by the painter who may have been a scam artist in the eyes of many, but an excellent scam artist he turned out to be.

(19 December 2007)