AMORSOLO PAINTING STOLEN FROM SILAY HERITAGE HOUSE

THE painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo was reportedly stolen from the Hofileña Heritage House and Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Stolen was the “Mango Harvesters,” a 12×18 masterpiece, painted by Amorsolo in 1936.

The arts and culture community in Negros Occidental appealed for help to locate Amorsolo’s artwork.

“Let us all help to find the stolen Amorsolo from the Hofileña Heritage House,” the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros, headed by Tey Sevilleno, said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

“Please share. Let us all help our local museums secure their art and exhibits. Let us help each other,” the post added.

Solomon Lopez-Locsin, chairman of the Negros Occidental Historical Council, on Friday night posted a “stolen art alert,” asking for help for the recovery of what he described as an important piece of Philippine art.

Based on figures posted on websites of art auction houses, prices of Amorsolo artworks of similar sizes amount to millions of pesos.

According to Locsin, those who have information or sighting of the artwork can contact the Silay City Police Station at 0998-5987443 or 0998-9674432.

Amorsolo’s painting was believed to have been stolen when two groups of tourists visited the museum on July 3, with just one tour guide on duty.

Authorities are checking the CCTV footages installed in the area to identify the thief/thieves.