Cebuano painter Jun Impas’ portrait of Pope Francis. | Photo from Impas’ Facebook page
CEBU CITY— Cebuanos are known around the world for being creative and artistic.
Just recently, Cebuano painter Jun Impas highlighted this with his one-of-a-kind painting of Pope Francis.
The 48-year-old Impas told Cebu Daily News Digital that his portrait of the Pope, which is making rounds on the Internet, is unique because it was based on a picture taken by the official photographer of the Catholic Church’s leader.
“This picture was bought by Fr. Jan Limchua solely for me to be able to paint a unique portrait of the pope, the one that you won’t be able to see on the Internet,” said Impas.
Impas, who was born in Danao City, said he received a call from the mother of Fr. Limchua in March, asking him to make the Pope’s picture come to life in a painting.
He accepted the offer and finished the painting in a week.
Impas, who has been focusing on painting since 1993, said he considers this portrait as one of his most valued achievements.
The oil-on-canvas painting was 18×24 inches big.
Cebuano painter Jun Impas (left) with Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle. | photo from Impas’ Facebook page
Last, April 6, 2019, Impas posted on his Facebook account pictures of Fr. Limchua handing over the portrait he made to Pope Francis himself at the Vatican.
“Lipay kaayo ko pag kita nako sa pictures nga gi send sa akoa. Nga akong painting sa Pope na abot na sa Vatican and ang Pope ang first hand nga ni dawat.” he said
(I was so happy when I saw the pictures that were sent to me. That my painting of the Pope made it to the Vatican and the Pope himself received it.)
This is not the first time that Impas’ work made it to the Vatican.
The photo of Pope Francis receiving the portrait from Fr. Jan Limchua (partly hidden) and his family. | photo from Jun Impas’ Facebook page
He also had painted portraits of some of the Filipino cardinals that are now displayed at the Pontificio Collegio Filipno there.
Impas, who specializes in portrait paintings, has done a number of paintings for prominent people.
Among his clients were Chief Justice Renato Corona, the late Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop Jose Palma, and famous news anchor Mel Tiangco. /bmjo