Vendors from the market place 

Vendors from the marketplace, by Vicente Manansala, is an oil on canvas painting that renders the everyday lives of vendors with a cubist sensibility. Here, the artist explores the material of paint itself to its fullest potential, by fragmenting form and color. This way of painting allows Manansala to capture the energy of a bustling market, full of vendors and fresh produce. But more than this, it’s worth considering the labor required to make this scene possible. The painting style, referred to as transparent cubism, is not just a technique, but a way of revealing the layers of work that constitute Philippine society. Just as the artist carefully constructs his composition, so too is the painting reflective of the vendor’s work and livelihood. The careful brushstrokes and attention to detail elevate what might otherwise be considered an ordinary scene to a poignant commentary on labor, commerce, and cultural identity.