Fernando Amorsolo, a Filipino artist best known for his masterful use of light and color, died on April 24, 1972, at the age of 79. Born in the province of Manila in 1892, Amorsolo was a student of iconic 19th century Filipino painter Fabián de la Rosa. Initially, he had difficulty making a living as an artist, and was forced to take various manual labor jobs in order to make ends meet. In 1919, Amorsolo joined the faculty of the University of the Philippines. Here, he devoted himself to the instruction of fine arts and left a lasting impact on generations of Filipino artists. In 1929, he won a gold medal in the 8th International Exposition of Fine Arts in Spain, helping to establish his status as one of the foremost Filipino painters of the 20th century. Throughout his career, Amorsolo painted numerous pieces that inspired the Filipino people and highlighted Ramon Magsaysay’s transformation of the landscape. He was awarded the very first National Artist Award for Painting in 1972, shortly before his death. In death, his works continue to inspire a new generation of Filipino artists, and his legacy is preserved in galleries and institutions throughout the country.