Radiant flowers bloom and colourful sunset paints the sky for Presidential Medal of Merit recipient Betsy Westendorp today in her passing
"On Wednesday, November 23rd, our beloved Betsy Westendorp, a Spanish painter who made her name in the Philippines, passed away at her home in Aravaca (Madrid)," Instituto Cervantes de Manila wrote on its Facebook page this November 24, Philippine time, confirming the news circulating among friends and patrons of the revered painter. "We would like to remember her with this small tribute we paid her in the exhibition dedicated to her work. . ." the post continues, ending with a prayer that may she rest in peace.
One cannot help but think of Westendorp's large-scale, captivating paintings of clouds, bays, and sunsets. Her impressionist take on such dramatic landscapes leaves viewers with nothing but mere awe. Seeing her work up close is an unforgettable experience for many, most especially for this writer who once had the pleasure of interviewing her at her apartment as she cooked paella.
Read also: Betsy Westendorp And The Art In Her Family's Veins
Spanish by birth and Filipino by marriage to Antonio Brias, Westendorp made a lasting mark in the Philippine art scene through her sublime paintings showcasing the beauty of nature and landscapes, the skies which are collectively known as Westendorp's atmosferografias, glimpses of Madrid cityscapes, and radiant flowers of various kinds. At the tender age of 12, she started to explore the world of art and find her own style, using her siblings and parents as her first models. Eventually, following Fernando Amorsolo's career in making portraits of distinguished society personalities, Westendorp soon also became a well-known portraitist.
