History Gallery: Vitaliano Victa Vallar, U.S. Navy Portraiture 1940’s to 1950’s

History Gallery: Vitaliano Victa Vallar, Navy Portraiture
Nov.8 – December, 2025
Reception: Sat. Nov. 29, 2pm to 4pm

In November and December, the museum will feature an exhibit about Vitaliano Victa Vallar (1920 – 2005), a Filipino who served as a Steward in the United States Navy, who created oil portraits of high-ranking officers while stationed in Hawaii, during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Watch: 10News

Vitaliano Victa Vallar, Navy Portraiture of Admiral Arthur William Radford,
Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet and later the Second Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Many of his works were given as gifts to admirals and other leaders, displayed around the Pearl Harbor shipyard, and featured in art exhibits and newspapers nationwide at the time.  Vitaliano was a self-taught artist, known for his photo-realistic style—his oil paintings were so lifelike they were often compared to photographs.  In addition to portraits, he painted military war scenes and portraits of military family members, capturing the broader experience of service and sacrifice.

After his naval career, Vitaliano continued to paint, focusing on Philippine landscapes, Filipino daily life, and religious themes, further showcasing his versatility and deep connection to his heritage. For years, his contributions went largely unrecognized, and he rarely spoke about his work. Only recently, through internet searches and old newspaper archives, has his family begun to uncover the true extent of his artistic legacy and the impact his paintings had on the military community and beyond.

This exhibit aims to honor Vitaliano’s life and talent by showcasing his original oil paintings and high-quality reproductions, allowing a wider audience to appreciate his artistry. By bringing together his lost and scattered works, this exhibit will celebrate Vitaliano Victa Vallar’s legacy and help preserve his art for future generations and inspire others to discover the hidden stories behind military history and creative achievement.

Leonida Sapin Vallar (1930 – 2012) and Vitaliano Vallar (1920 – 2005)

Vitaliano Victa Vallar landscape

This exhibition is curated and created by son Nestor Vallar