16 May 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General opened the first posthumous exhibit of modern renaissance man Julius T. Limpe at the Philippine Center Gallery at a cocktail reception held on May 03 with the artist’s family, close friends, and members of the Filipino community.

Entitled “The Art of Julius Limpe: A Retrospective Painting Exhibition,” the exhibit showcased the artist’s paintings that depict natural subjects he is known to love, such as fishes, flowers, animals, and wildlife as well as religious subjects in his signature “unique modern romantic expressionist” style.

In his welcome remarks, Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr.  expressed that the exhibit was in many ways a memorial to Julius Limpe, who was a close personal friend. He said that holding the exhibit was a tribute to the artist, who was able to pursue his passion for painting since his retirement from being a successful businessman until his death in 2015.

Artist Manuel Baldemor, who curated the exhibit, said that it was a fulfillment of a promise that he made to Julius Limpe years ago to put together an exhibit of his works in Manila. He described Julius Limpe as an accomplished artist who held his own alongside Filipino masters such as Malang, H.R. Ocampo, Cesar Legaspi, Jose Joya and Ang Kiukok when he became part of the elite Saturday Group and the Sunday Friends.

“Julius Limpe painted a wide range of subjects, but if you could tie down his art, it was rooted in the fact that he was a happy person,” Baldemor said.

Baldemor recounted Julius Limpe’s highly successful stint in the business world, having been at the helm of the Philippines’ oldest distillery, Destilieria Limtuaco, as President and CEO. He described him as multi-talented, being also a musician, a scientist and inventor, but whose passion really was for the arts. The exhibit was a testament that he was able to fulfill his deep artistic longings.

“For a long time, Julius Limpe’s inner muse was repressed by circumstances, but near the end, he gave it wings,” Baldemor said.

Linda Limpe, Julius Limpe’s eldest daughter, expressed gratitude for the holding of the exhibit.

“Thank you for honoring our family,” she said, speaking in behalf of her sisters Olive Limpe-Aw and Irene Limpe, who flew to New York to attend the exhibit opening.

During the opening reception, guests sampled Destileria Limtuaco’s signature liqueurs Manille de Dalandan, Manille de Calamansi, Paradise Mango and Amadeo Coffee. END