Woman with Flowers

Romeo Villalva Tabuena

Mexican painter Romeo Villalva Tabuena was born in Iloilo City, Philippines on August 22, 1921. He studied architecture at Mapúa Institute of Technology in Manilla and painting at the University of the Philippines. He continued his studies at the Art Students League in New York in 1952 under American artist, Will Barnet, and in Paris at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in 1954 with Henri Goetz.

In 1955, Tabuena settled in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where he continued to live and work until his death in 2015.

His style upon arriving in Mexico has been described as "prismatic", a form of cubism, with the colors refracting brilliant light, as through the facets of a prism. This painting of a "Woman with Flowers" is a prime example of his use of this technique.

This acrylic was purchased from the artist at his home in San Miguel de Allende. There is a label attached to the gray gessoed verso that reads:

“Romeo V. Tabuena / Artist / Apdo. Postal 114 – Tel. 2-02-71 / San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico / Title of Painting: “Woman with Flowers” (in blue ink) / Size: “76-1/2 cm x 68-1/2 cm” (blue ink) / Medium: “Acrylic” (blue ink) / Year: “1972” (blue ink).”