US turns over two Amorsolo paintings
Credit to Author: THE MANILA TIMES| Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2019 13:04:30 +0000
THE United States recently turned over to the Philippines two paintings by Philippine National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.
The paintings were previously owned by a retired American policeman.
The US Homeland Security Investigations’ Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Investigations Division turned over the painting to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on Nov. 22.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday said the paintings depict harvest time in the Philippine countryside.
The HSI has been coordinating with foreign governments for the return of cultural objects that were illegally acquired by some traders under its jurisdiction.
However, the DFA said that according to the HSI, “there were no nefarious activities associated with the turnover of the Amorsolo paintings.”
“The anonymous San Francisco Bay Area-based donor turned over the Amorsolo paintings to the HSI. The donor’s father procured the Amorsolo paintings when he served as a military policeman in the Philippines,” the DFA said.
“He [donor] passed on a few years ago, and the family deemed it necessary that Filipinos appreciate the Amorsolo paintings,” the DFA said in a statement.
Consul General to San Francisco Henry Bensurto Jr. received the paintings on behalf of the Philippine consulate and signed a Deed of Donation with HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King for the turnover. Bernadette E. Tamayo