Fernando Zóbel

“As I paint, I eliminate all that is superfluous. My paintings are, I believe, quite simple: I don’t want them to contain anything that might be distracting.”

- Fernando Zóbel

Fernando Zóbel was an unrepentant traveler, between Europe, America and the East, with a clear vocation to create currents and unite cultures, in addition to the many facets that come together in his personality and that were developed by him throughout his life: historian, patron, professor of University, bibliophile, collector, creator and founder of the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art in Cuenca and the founding director of the Ayala Museum in Philippines. Activities, all of them, endowed with a great intellectual load, that shaped his extraordinary personality, and that never implied a dispersion of the person, as it could have happened, but all of them were united under the common denominator of the great vocation of him: painting. His masterpieces, such as the "Saetas" series, showcased his exceptional skill in fusing Western abstraction with Filipino sensibilities.

Fernando Zóbel (Manila, 1924 – Rome, 1984), was a prominent Spanish-Filipino artist, art patron, and museum director. A self-taught artist, painter, printmaker, draughtsman, he received numerous awards for his museum work and for his in-depth knowledge of art. Zóbel also played a significant role in the development of contemporary art in the Philippines and made notable contributions to the international art scene.

In 1942, during World War II, Zóbel and his family sought refuge in the United States due to the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. He pursued his studies in Harvard University, where he obtained a degree in Philosophy and Letters. During that time, he became deeply interested in the abstract expressionist movement, which heavily influenced his artistic style. In 1956, after completing his education, Zóbel returned to the Philippines. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Philippine Art Gallery, which aimed to promote contemporary art and foster cultural exchange. Zóbel's passion for the arts extended beyond his own artistic pursuits, as he actively supported and showcased the works of other Filipino artists.

As an artist, Zóbel was known for his abstract and minimalist approach. His works often featured geometric forms, bold colors, and precise compositions. Zóbel's paintings and sculptures showcased his mastery of different mediums and techniques, and his art was widely recognized for its distinctive style. At the end of the 1950s he took part in several major international exhibitions: Before Picasso, After Miró (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 1960), the Venice Biennale (1962), and Modern Spanish Painting (Tate Gallery, London, 1962). Having moved definitively to Spain, in 1959 he exhibited for the first time at the Galería Biosca in Madrid, run by the person who would become his regular dealer, Juana Mordó, in whose gallery he had one-man shows between 1964 and 1974. He also exhibited at Bertha Schaefer (New York, 1965 and 1968) and the Galerie Jacob (Paris, 1977), as well as at renowned Spanish galleries and institutions.

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Zóbel served as the director and promoter of many museums: he was the prime mover of the of the Museo Abstacto Español in Cuenca, inaugurated in 1966, and the Ayala Museum in Makati City, Philippines, in 1967. Throughout his career, Zóbel received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain. Fernando Zóbel left behind a lasting legacy in the world of art. His dedication to promoting contemporary art and his own artistic achievements continue to inspire artists and art enthusiasts in the Philippines and beyond.