Juvenal Sansó, beloved Spanish artist in the Philippines, passes away at 95
Spanish painter and founder of Fundacion Sansó museum, Juvenal Sansó, has passed away. He was 95.
In a Facebook post, Fundacion Sansó Director Ricky Francisco shared to his followers the death of a "great artist and great man." The cause of death was not announced.
"It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of the great artist and great man, Mr. Juvenal Sanso," he announced.
"Mr. Sanso was a visionary who has left behind an indelible mark on the art world, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, passion, and artistic excellence. He also founded Fundacion Sansó with his friends to make his art more accessible to the public, and to assist deserving fine art students with stipends to help them become full-fledged artists," he continued.
Francisco, who worked alongside Sansó, expressed deep gratitude, praising his talent and kindness.
He announced that Sanso's family will hold a private viewing until Monday, followed by public wakes on April 1 and 2, from 2-10 p.m. at Chapels 7 and 8 of Heritage Memorial Park.
A mass will also be held on both days at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, people are asked to donate to Fundacion Sansó’s scholarship and stipend program at the wake.
"Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng nakikiramay," he ended.
Sansó, a Spanish-born artist who immigrated to the Philippines at five, became a significant figure in the country's art scene. His family established a wrought-iron business called El Arte Español, but Sansó's passion centered on the visual arts. He mastered diverse media, including oil, acrylic, ink, dry brush, textile, printmaking, and photography, and also did production design, crafting sets and costumes for operas in both France and the Philippines.
His career flourished internationally, with exhibitions in major cities and earning prestigious awards, including the Print of the Year from the Cleveland Museum of Art. He also received the Presidential Medal of Merit from the Philippines, the Distinguished King’s Cross of Isabela from Spain, and the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France.
Beyond his works, Sansó also dedicated himself to supporting young Filipino artists, establishing the Fundación Sansó museum in 2015 and contributing to art education programs.
