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Juvenal Garrit Sansó, an acclaimed modernist painter whose works captured themes of resilience and beauty, died on March 28 at the age of 95.
Born in Reus, Spain, on Nov. 23, 1929, Sansó moved with his family to the Philippines in 1934, where they built a new life in Manila. His father, Jose Sansó-Pedret, ran a wrought-iron business that later grew into Arte Español, a well-known furniture brand. The young Sansó’s early years were marked by the turmoil of World War II, an experience that deeply influenced his early works, often characterized by dark, haunting imagery.
Sansó studied fine arts at the University of the Philippines under National Artists Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino. He later expanded his artistic knowledge at the University of Santo Tomas, learning modernist techniques from mentors such as Cesar Legaspi and Galo Ocampo. Further studies took him to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma in Italy and École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Over the course of his career, Sansó gained international recognition, holding solo exhibitions across Europe and seeing his works collected by major museums and institutions. His artistic range extended beyond painting to include printmaking, textile and costume design, photography, and stage design. His later works, known for their vibrant floral and landscape motifs, contrasted with the somber tones of his earlier years.
Sansó’s legacy extends beyond his paintings. In 2014, he established Fundacion Sansó in San Juan City, dedicated to preserving his body of work while supporting aspiring artists and industry initiatives.
He is survived by his niece, Carmen Montes.
