Sansó Moderno

Sansó explored realism and rediscovery through his Moderno series. 

By Art+ Magazine Team
Photo courtesy of Fundacion Sansó
October 17, 2025

Juvenal Sansó’s Moderno series marks a distinctive and personal chapter in the artist’s storied career. Known for his ethereal florals and dreamlike Brittany landscapes, Sansó took a new and unexpected turn in the early 2000s.

Alpine Crown, c. 2000s, acrylic on canvas, Joaquin Teotico Collection

According to Dr. Reuben Canete, the Moderno series began around 2001, following a visit to Iran. Sansó was inspired not only by the breathtaking Iranian landscapes, but also by a challenge posed to him by the children of his close friend, Mohammad Ronaghi. The challenge? To paint realistically.

Ati-atihan II, c. 2000s, acrylic on canvas, Joaquin Teotico collection

His initial visit to Iran in 1997 had already left a deep impression. But it was his 2001 trip—when he attended a wedding and journeyed through the Caspian Sea coast and the Zagros Mountains—that entranced him. The striking desert light, the vivid colors of the rocks, and the majestic ruins of Persepolis captured his imagination. He spent hours contemplating these vistas and later established a studio in Tehran in Ronaghi’s old apartment. It was here that he began painting highly naturalistic landscapes, rich in color and inspired by both the Iranian terrain and his beloved Brittany scenes.

Majestic Ramparts, c. 2000s, acrylic on canvas, Joaquin Teotico Collection

These works were eventually categorized as the Moderno series during his solo exhibit Sanso Moderno at Galerie Joaquin in March 2011, followed by another show in GJ Asian Art, Singapore, and a dedicated monograph, titled Sansó Moderno, by Dr. Canete in July of the same year.

The Descent Begins, c. 2000s, acrylic on canvas, Joaquin Teotico Collection

Sansó found satisfaction in exploring a new color palette and immersing himself in the natural world. Stylistically, the Moderno series stands apart from Sansó’s earlier work. Unlike the interpretative and abstracted styles of his florals or Brittany Series, Moderno paintings are more faithful depictions of landscapes. They showcase scenes as Sanso might have captured them through a camera lens.

The Triumph of Dawn, c 2000s, acrylic on canvas, Joaquin Teotico Collection

“They are paintings of a precise moment when the image is very well composed, and the light and color maximize emotion. In this sense, they are like all other Sansó works, as they use the pictorial subject as a means to elicit or draw out a specific emotion,” said Fundacion Sansó Museum Director Ricky Francisco.

Whispers in White, c. 2000s, acrylic on canvas, Joaquin Teotico Collection

Using color and composition as tools to create a sense of wonder, nostalgia, or tranquility, Moderno shares a common thread with all of Sanso’s work, evoking emotional resonance through pictorial beauty.