Araceli Dans dies at 95

FILIPINO painter and Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee Araceli Limaco Dans passed away on Saturday at the age of 95. 

In a report by GMA News, Dans’ granddaughter confirmed that her “Lola has passed away.”  

Meanwhile, a social media tribute was made by Leon Gallery stating on how the artist “had a unique affinity for capturing the human soul.” 

Known for her artworks–-her acrylic, watercolor, and oil paintings depicts intricate details that can easily be spotted through the human eye. 

Her paintings had been offered at auction multiple times with the ranging amount reaching a whopping price of $50 to $44,069. 

According to an article MutualArt, since 2015 the largest amount to be auction for her painting reached $44,069 for Gift from the Sea I which was sold at Leon Gallery in Makati in 2021. 

“Her diverse personal experience from her vibrant upbringing to her encounters during the Second World War, imbued her works with deep emotions such as nostalgia, love, longing, and loss.” Leon Gallery wrote. 

“Araceli’s art and practice will undoubtedly be remembered as undeniably and quintessentially Filipino.” The gallery added. 

Fundacion Sanson named Araceli Dans as a “pioneering art educator” having “co-founded the Philippine Art Educators Association with Brenda Fajardo in 1968.” She is also known as “Cheloy,” a classmate and a good friend of Juvenal Sanso at the UP School of Fine arts.

Aside from the multiple awards that she received, Dan’s craft and story was adapted into a children’s book “Cely’s Crocodille” written by Gabriela Dans Lee. 

Dan was also mentored by impeccable Filipino National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.