{"status":true,"msg":{"data":{"id":61730,"auction_id":209,"set_id":242,"lot_number":"154","artist":"Macario Vitalis (1898 - 1990)","title":"Imbarcazione all’approdo","starting_price":360000,"signed_dated":"signed and dated 1962 (lower right and verso)","medium":"oil on canvas","size":"21\" x 25 1/2\" (53 cm x 65 cm)","property":null,"coa":"León Gallery wishes to thank Comité Vitalis for confirming the authenticity of this lot","provenance":"Private collection, Italy","exhibited":null,"literature":null,"write_up":"Ever diligent and passionate, Macario Vitalis dedicated all his life to the arts. No amount of money, distance, or even war could trample on his artistic dreams and vision. Born in Ilocos Sur, he left the Philippines in 1917 and flew to the United States to study. He wasn't born with a silver spoon, so the young Vitalis, nearly 20 at the time, worked multiple jobs to fend for himself in this foreign land. Later, in late 1926, he found himself at the heart of the art world—France. <br><br> France undeniably played a vital role in Macario Vitalis' life and artistic career. In this country, brimming with picturesque nature, rich culture, and an opulent art scene, he also formed meaningful relationships with people and visited places that greatly influenced his oeuvre. <br><br> Vitalis first lived in an artistic community in Montmartre in Paris. Later, a chance encounter with Camille Renault led him to the western suburbs of Puteaux, where he did set designs and helped in the kitchen in Renault's theater-restaurant. The upper floor serves as Vitalis' living area-cum-art studio. At times, he also held exhibits and sold paintings at the restaurant. <br><br>  However, what was thought of as a prosperous new life and career in France was darkened when Germany took over France. His ties to the Philippines and the United States labeled him as an \"enemy of the state\" by the occupying force, and, therefore, he was brought to a concentration camp. Being held in prison did not falter Vitalis' artistic spirit. He continued to draw and paint, doing portraits, as well as translating the harrowing conditions they were subjected to onto canvas and paper. <br><br>  Macario Vitalis was finally set free in 1944, after three years of imprisonment. He briefly returned to Puteaux and continued his artistic venture. By this time, he had become affiliated with the Puteaux group of artists, who dabbled in cubism and orphism, profoundly shaping his would-be distinct art style.<br><br>  In 1957, Vitalis moved to the quaint town of Plestin-les Grèves, located on the north coast of Brittany. Bearing his new artistic influences, Vitalis poured his energy into honing his skills while encapsulating the town's magnificent views and modest life in his subsequent paintings. <br><br>  Imbarcazione all’approdo, which roughly translates to “boats at the dock,” gives light to Macario Vitalis’ life in Plestin-les-Grèves. The titular boats were empty, sitting calmly by the shore, perhaps put to rest after a day of work at sea. The waters are blue and relaxed, speckled with yellows from the golden sun setting on the horizon. In the distance, the artist depicted properties by the hillside, facing the sea. Their exterior walls were painted white, while their roofs were blue, creating a peaceful, subtle contrast with their surrounding colors. <br><br> The artist’s post-impressionist sensibilities are also highlighted in this 1962 painting. While it appears to be a fragmented mosaic, closer inspection reveals Vitalis’ harmonious blend of paint dabs to create a scenic view, successfully bringing it to life. He makes expert use of every space with each stroke, leaving no part of the canvas uncolored. And aside from the depiction of the setting sun, his saturated hues provide warmth to the piece, mingling with the cool sea breeze. <br><br> Indeed, Vitalis found a new home in Plestin-les-Grèves. The town honored him, just as he immortalized its captivating beauty in his paintings. Almost every place holds a trace of Vitalis; his works hang in establishments and houses, and the locals, one way or another, have known or heard of the formidable artist, Macario Vitalis. <br><br> Vitalis may have been away from the Philippines for most of his life. Still, he is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated Filipino artists, whose vision and determination have encouraged many up-and-coming artists to find their own artistic voices and reach for their dreams, whether miles and oceans away from home. (Jessica Magno)","lot_group":"PAINTING","lot_details_html":null,"alias":null,"hp":650000,"bp":0.2016,"isWithdrawn":0,"accounting_hp":650000,"userBid":34,"isPaid":0,"userId":34,"lot_status":"SOLD","isDone":1,"bid_history_id":25619,"reserve_price":null,"hammer_price":781040,"fav":0},"image":[{"id":68624,"img_url":"https://leongallery.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/v2/auction/209/242/lot/154.jpg","isFeatured":1},{"id":68722,"img_url":"https://leongallery.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/v2/auction/209/242/lot/154a.jpg","isFeatured":0},{"id":68721,"img_url":"https://leongallery.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/v2/auction/209/242/lot/154b.jpg","isFeatured":0},{"id":68720,"img_url":"https://leongallery.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/v2/auction/209/242/lot/154c.jpg","isFeatured":0}]},"increment":[450000,500000,550000,600000,650000,700000,750000,800000,900000,1000000,1100000,1200000,1300000,1400000,1500000,1600000,1700000,1800000,1900000,2000000,2200000,2400000,2600000,2800000,3000000,3200000,3400000,3600000,3800000,4000000,4200000,4400000,4600000,4800000,5000000,5500000,6000000,6500000,7000000,7500000,8000000,8500000,9000000,9500000,10000000,11000000,12000000,13000000,14000000,15000000,16000000,17000000,18000000,19000000,20000000],"prev":153,"next":155,"count_bid":0,"bid_history":[],"tokenExpired":1}