Simon Flores
SIMON DE LA ROSA FLORES
(b. San Fernando de Dilao (now Paco), Manila October 28, 1839 d. March 12, 1902)
Simon De La Rosa Flores was descended from a family of artisans originally from Balayan, Batangas. Uncle Pio De
La Rosa taught Simon the rudiments of the arts when he was in his teens. Later, he enrolled at the Academia de
Dibujo y Pintura, studying under Lorenzo Guerrero and Lorenzo Rocha. Flores first gained attention in 1871
when the colonial administration commended him for the portrait of Amadeo I, which he presented to the
province oil Pampanga. During this time he might already have made the acquaintance of Mons Ignacio
Tambungui who introduced him to the wealthy families of several towns of Pampanga, for whom he executed
many portraits and religious paintings. Simon married the monsignor's sister, Simplicia.
Flores must have executed as many as 20 portraits which include the two versions of the Familia Quiason, and
the portraits entitled Miguela Henson, Andrea Dayrit, Quintina Castor de Sadie, Severina Ocampo de Arroyo,
Anastasia Sandiko Panlilio, and Lucila Panlilio. All these are known for the fine miniaturistic detailing of the
embroideries of the pina costumes of the sitters, their elaborate jewelry as well as the appurtenances in their
homes. Among Simon's religious paintings are El bautismo de Cristo (The Baptism of Christ), San Roque,
Parabola de la mujer arrepentida (Parable of the Repentant Woman), La Inmaculada Concepcion (The
Immaculate Conception), and two versions of La Virgen Maria, (The Virgin Mary), inspired by a painting of
Carlo Dolci. He decorated the interiors of the churches of Bacolor, Betis, Mexico, and Santa Rita towns of
Pampanga. He also did mortuary portraits. Only two of his genre paintings are known in existence," Primeras
Letras," (Learning to Read), and "Alimentando Pollos" (Feeding Chickens).
Simon Flores was the first Filipino oil native blood to
(b. San Fernando de Dilao (now Paco), Manila October 28, 1839 d. March 12, 1902)
Simon De La Rosa Flores was descended from a family of artisans originally from Balayan, Batangas. Uncle Pio De
La Rosa taught Simon the rudiments of the arts when he was in his teens. Later, he enrolled at the Academia de
Dibujo y Pintura, studying under Lorenzo Guerrero and Lorenzo Rocha. Flores first gained attention in 1871
when the colonial administration commended him for the portrait of Amadeo I, which he presented to the
province oil Pampanga. During this time he might already have made the acquaintance of Mons Ignacio
Tambungui who introduced him to the wealthy families of several towns of Pampanga, for whom he executed
many portraits and religious paintings. Simon married the monsignor's sister, Simplicia.
Flores must have executed as many as 20 portraits which include the two versions of the Familia Quiason, and
the portraits entitled Miguela Henson, Andrea Dayrit, Quintina Castor de Sadie, Severina Ocampo de Arroyo,
Anastasia Sandiko Panlilio, and Lucila Panlilio. All these are known for the fine miniaturistic detailing of the
embroideries of the pina costumes of the sitters, their elaborate jewelry as well as the appurtenances in their
homes. Among Simon's religious paintings are El bautismo de Cristo (The Baptism of Christ), San Roque,
Parabola de la mujer arrepentida (Parable of the Repentant Woman), La Inmaculada Concepcion (The
Immaculate Conception), and two versions of La Virgen Maria, (The Virgin Mary), inspired by a painting of
Carlo Dolci. He decorated the interiors of the churches of Bacolor, Betis, Mexico, and Santa Rita towns of
Pampanga. He also did mortuary portraits. Only two of his genre paintings are known in existence," Primeras
Letras," (Learning to Read), and "Alimentando Pollos" (Feeding Chickens).
Simon Flores was the first Filipino oil native blood to