Paco Gorospe Art Appraisal

Monochromatic Carabao Painting by Paco Gorospe

This original mid-century modern oil painting, attributed to the renowned Filipino artist Paco Gorospe (1939-2002), depicts a family of carabaos (water buffalo) in a stylized, cubist-inspired manner. The composition features two large adult carabaos and a smaller calf in the center, rendered through geometric facets and bold linework characteristic of Gorospe's signature style. The artwork utilizes a monochromatic sepia-toned palette, consisting of various shades of ochre, burnt sienna, and dark brown. The background includes tropical elements such as bamboo stalks and broad leaves, which have Been abstracted into sharp, angular forms. The canvas is Medium-large in scale and is housed in a simple, dark-stained wooden frame that appears contemporary to the work's era. The visible condition shows age-related yellowing of the varnish and slight surface grime, though no major paint loss or tears are evident. The craftsmanship exhibits the confident, expressive brushwork typical of the 'Picasso of the Philippines,' highlighting a transition between local folk themes and global modernist movements characteristic of the 1960s-1970s.