Zóbel invites us to see the world differently—to look closely, think deeply, and appreciate the quiet moments where true understanding begins.
Fernando Zóbel’s art is the kind that speaks in hushed tones yet leaves an indelible mark. His minimalist brushstrokes, sharp with contemplation, resonate just as powerfully today as they did decades ago.
Now, as Manila’s hum continues unabated, the Ayala Museum offers a moment of pause—a moment to reflect, to observe, and to immerse oneself in Zóbel: The Future of the Past.
This exhibition, first met with acclaim at Madrid’s Prado Museum in 2022, now makes its Asian debut. It is a graceful journey that, much like Zóbel himself, crosses continents and time, bringing together over 200 works from celebrated institutions, including Harvard Art Museum, Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, and the Ayala Museum.
Beyond the familiar
At the core of this exhibition lies the unfamiliar—Zóbel: The Future of the Past steps beyond the more widely recognized Serie Negra and La Vista works that often populate auction circles and art fairs. Instead, visitors are greeted with the vivid blue swathes of Dos de Mayo III (1984), from the Miguel Ramos Collection, and Second of May IV (1984), from the Colección Fundación Juan March. These pieces mark a departure from the somber tones associated with his previous series and bring to life a side of Zóbel that is as modern as it is unexpected.
Photo: Santiago Torralba/Archivo Fundación Juan March
Zóbel’s ability to shift between such visual languages was a testament to his identity as a man who existed at the crossroads of cultures. Born in the Philippines, educated in the United States, and spending much of his later life in Spain, Zóbel’s art reflects this perpetual dialogue between East and West, tradition and innovation. His graceful Asian aesthetics and Western technical rigor offer a fusion that feels harmonious, yet surprising—an embodiment of balance that lies at the heart of this exhibition.
The artist’s process unveiled
Running from September 14, 2024, until January 29, 2025, Zóbel: The Future of the Past doesn’t just showcase his finished works; it offers an intimate look into his mind. Never-before-seen sketchbooks, candid photography, and personal journals reveal the meticulous process behind the art, providing viewers with unprecedented insight into Zóbel’s constant search for endless stimuli.
His journals are not merely records but windows into a mind in constant motion—charting museum visits, travels, and encounters with other artists. An exceptional highlight is Self-Portrait on the Red Wall (1954), from the Paulino and Hetty Que collection. Accompanied by a photograph of the artist at work on this piece, the portrait highlights the two sides of his life—businessman and artist—and shows how these worlds beautifully collided.
Dialogues with masters
A hallmark of Zóbel’s later work was his Diálogos series, where he converses with the great masters—Rubens, Goya, and Degas. These dialogues are more than mere homage; they are acts of reinterpretation, where Zóbel engages with the past to create something altogether new. Among the standout pieces is Diálogo con Degas (1969), a work that invites the viewer to rethink the very nature of artistic legacy.
Here, Zóbel does not simply reference; he reimagines, drawing past and present into a single, fluid conversation. This exploration of dialogue—between artists, eras, and geographies—forms the crux of Zóbel: The Future of the Past. It’s a fitting title for an exhibition that, much like its subject, exists on the precipice of time, balancing the weight of history with the urgency of the present.
The art of seeing
Why visit this exhibition? Fernando Zóbel’s impact on modern art is profound. As only the second modern artist—after Picasso—to be featured at the Prado, his place in the art world is exceptional. The Manila presentation deepens this legacy by showcasing his pivotal role in shaping post-war Manila’s art scene and his broader influence on modern art in both the Philippines and Spain.
Photo: Santiago Torralba/Archivo Fundación Juan March
For newcomers to art, Zóbel: The Future of the Past offers a fascinating entry into abstraction, where each canvas invites reflection and engagement. For seasoned art aficionados, the exhibition provides rare access to pieces that challenge preconceptions, offering a nuanced perspective on the artist’s oeuvre.
In this exhibition, hues and gradients are transformed into more than mere colors; they become dialogues of emotion and depth. Zóbel’s art encourages us to re-examine these elements with new eyes, inviting an exploration of their meanings. Amid a world of surface level impressions, his work celebrates the enduring art of truly seeing.
