The Development of

Visual Arts
in the Philippines

Development of Painting
in the Philippines
Historical development of painting in
the Philippines were traced into three
periods.
1. Spanish Period
2. American Period
3. Modern Period

Spanish Period
When the Spaniards arrived in the
Philippines in 1521, the colonizer used art
as a tool to propagate the Catholic faith
through beautiful images. With
communication as a problem, the friars
used images to explain the concept of
Catholic religion and to tell the stories of
Christ life and passion.

Images of the Holy Family and saints

were introduced to the Filipinos. And
also the via crucis(Station of the
Cross).

Though the ethnic art form such as

pottery, weaving and metalwork's
remained, the Spanish friars and the
Chinese, were slowly introducing newer art
form. Filipino were taught how to use
Chinese brushwork technique in painting.

The concept of patronage emerged.

The artisan were commissioned and
paid to paint. The church, particularly
the friars became the new patron of
art. They offered drawing and
painting lesson to the Filipinos.

The Spanish friars introduced the

western painting in the Philippines to
artisan who learned to copy on twodimensional form from the religious
icons that the friars brought from
Spain. Portraits of saints and the holy
family became a familiar sight in
churches. Other subject matters
include the passion of Christ, via
crucis, crucifixion and portrayal of
heaven, purgatory and hell.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary by Damiano Domingo

St. John
the Baptist
by Simon
Flores y
dela Rosa
He painted
most of his
religious
canvases
form paints

In the church in Paete, Laguna are two works

by Jose Luciano Dans (1805- ca. 1870),

probably one of the earliest recorded painters
in Philippine art history. Langit, Lupa at
Impierno ca. 1850 (Heaven, Earth and Hell), a
three-level painting which shows the Holy
Trinity, Mary the Mother of Christ, saints, the
Seven Blessed Sacraments and a macabre
depiction of Hell. The second painting is
entitled Purgatorio (Purgatory) which shows
the eight forms of punishment the soul passes
through for cleansing before reaching Heaven.

During

the early part of the Spanish

occupation, painting was exclusively for the
churches
and
for
religious
purposes.
Occasionally, it was also used for propaganda.
Esteban Villanueva of Vigan, Ilocos Sur
depicted the Ilocos revolt against the basi
monopoly in 1821. The Spanish government
commissioned the work. The fourteen panels
show the series of events that led to the
crushing of the Ilocano basi workers revolt by
Spanish forces. It also showed the appearance
of Halley s Comet in the Philippines during
that time.

The

earliest known historical

paintings in the Philippines was a
mural at the Palacio Real (Royal
Palace) in Intramuros entitled The
Conquest of the Batanes done in
1783.
Unfortunately,
it
was
destroyed
during
the
1863
earthquake.

In the early 19th Century with the opening of

the Suez Canal and the development of the
agricultural export economy, native indios
acquired economic wealth and became the
illustrados, meaning enlightened and
educated. These developments paved way
to Filipino illustrados to send their children
to the universities in Europe. The ilustrados
(Filipino with money and education) became
the new patron of arts. These events paved
the way to the secularization of art in the
19th century.

Secular subject matter in painting only

increased during the 19th century. With more

tourists, ilustrados and foreigners demanding
souvenirs and decorations from the country,
tipos del pais developed in painting. These
watercolor paintings show the different types
of inhabitants in the Philippines in their
different native costumes that show their
social status and occupation. It also became
an album of different native costumes.
Damian Domingo y Gabor (ca. 1790-1832)
was the most popular artist who worked in this
style.

In the early 19th century, the rise of the

ilustrados saw a rise in the art of portraiture.

The need to adorn their newly constructed
bahay-na-bato and the want to document
their new found wealth and social status, the
ilustrados commissioned painters to make
portraits of themselves. The works of painters
like Simon Flores, Antonio Malantic and
Justiniano Ascunsion

Portrait of Soledad

Francia 1876
By Antonio Malantic

portrait painting
by Justiniano
Asuncion

Doa Miguela
Henson
by
Simon Flores

Alfonso Ongpin
Alfonso Tiburcio Ongpin y Tanbensiang(1885-1975)
was an art connoisseur, gallery owner, Rizalist,
Hispanist writer, and one of the greatest art
collectors of the Philippines. In his lifetime he was
the owner of the famed art supplies store and
galleryArte, which was a beacon of light to many
poor and struggling artists. He collected collected
many important Rizal documents. Don Alfonso built
his art collection by accepting artworks from artists
who could not afford to pay cash for their art
supplies and canvasses. He also personally bought
many pieces of art directly from the artists,
including works ofJuan Luna,Felix Resurreccion
Hidalgo,Fabian de la Rosa, andFernando Amorsolo.

The Academia
A Royal Degree promulgated on
March 13, 1846 founded the
Academia de Dibujo y Pintura
In the city of Manila.

Painters who studied in the Academia

Manuel Espiritu
Pepe Lozano
dela Rosa
Lorenzo Guerrero Jose Martinez
Felipe Roxas
Manuel Flores
Felix Martinez
Anselmo Espiritu
Ramon Martinez
Simon Flores y

St. John
the Baptist
by Simon
Flores y
dela Rosa
He painted
most of his
religious
canvases
form paints

Cristobal by Jose Dans (18th Century). This

work was painted on 12 planks of wood joined
together. In this painting, his human figures are
effectively modelled, their limbs well drafted, and
the wide lake is evoked by his accurate linear
perspective.

By: Felix Martinez

By Felipe Roxas 1in 1866

Since most art produced during the

Spanish period were for church, the
friars enforced strict supervision over
their production. Until the 19th
century, painting was only for church
and religious purpose

Several Filipino painters had the

chance to study and work abroad.

Among them were Juan Novicio
Luna and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo
who became the first international
Filipino artists when they won the
gold and silver medals in the 1884
Madrid Exposition.

Spolarium by Juan Luna

Lunas academic painting Spoliarium won gold

medal. It showed the dead and dying Roman

Gladiators being dragged into the basement
of the Coliseum. It is often interpreted as an
allusion to Imperial Spains oppression of the
natives. Though winning the gold medal, Luna
was not awarded the Medal of Excellence, the
top award for the competition, because he
was a Filipino. The King of Spain, to assuage
Lunas feelings, commissioned him to paint
The Battle at Lepanto.

The Battle at Lepanto

Death of Cleopatra(1881) by Juan Luna,

gold award

Las Damas Romanas

by Juan Luna

The Parisian Life by Juan Luna

La Barca de Aqueronte by Felix Resureccion

Hidalgo

Virgenes christianas expuestas al populacho

American Period
During this period there are few painters, and
they painted simply for the love of art.
Painting was standstill because commerce
was generally restricted during the period
between the Spanish rule and the assumption
of the American government.

Famous Painter during this time

Miguel Zaragoza
Rafael Enriquez
Fabian dela Rosa
Teodoro Buenaventura
Jorge Penida
Ramon Peralta
Isidro Ancheta
Fernando Amorsolo

Castillo by Jorge Pineda

By Ramon Peralta

Rice Planting by Fabian dela Rosa

Leyendo Periodico (2nd prize)

by Fernando Amorsolo

Cabeza de
Estudio
(2nd prize)
by Fernando
Amorsolo

Oracion

Oracion

Sunday Morning

The Market Place

This painting shows the marketplace during
the Japanese occupation in 1942.

Defence of a Filipina
Woman's Honour,
This Painting is a
representation of
World War II-era. This
painting shows a
Filipino man defends a
woman, who is either
his wife or daughter,
from being raped by
an unseen Japanese
soldier.

He designed this logo

for Ginebra San Miguel
(Markang Demonyo),
depicting St. Micheal
vanquishing the devil.
The logo is still in use
in its original form up
to the present.

Modern Period
In this period the painters were set to sketch

portraits for a living. In 1951 a gallery for

modern painting was established on a side
street of Calle Mabini in Ermita. This gallery is
called the Philippine Art Gallery.

Painters during this

period
Romeo Enriquez
Fernando Zobel Jr.
Victor Oteyza
Manuel Rodrigues
Arturo Rogelio Luz

Hugo Yonzon
Vicente Manansala
Bernardo Ocampo
Romeo Tabuena
Ceasar Legaspi

By Vicente Manansala

Madonna of slums

By Bernardo Ocampo

By Romeo Tabuena

By Ceasar Legaspi

Brown Madonna by Galo Ocampo

Muslim bethoral by Carlos Ocampo

By Fernando Zobel Jr.

By Arturo Rogelio Luz

Immaculate Conception Church, Bulacan

Mt. Carmel Church, Lipa, Batangas

Sta. Rita Church, Pampanga

Sto. Nio Basilica, Cebu

IN THE
PHILIPPINES

SPANISH PERIOD
Spaniards arrive in the phil. In early 16 th

century.
Sculpture developed very slowly in the phil.
The cavers learned from their predecessors or
from the experience of fellow carvers.
In manila , there were not only native carvers
but also Sangleys who skillful carvers.

Examples of 18th century images is the

San Agustin church were one of baroque art and
religious sculpture.

AMERICAN PERIOD
After the revolution in 1896, the filipino

sculptors began to erect monuments.

Monument of Jose Rizal

Oblation in U.P Diliman

By: Guillermo Tolentino

It was constructed at the Rizal hall area.

Later, it was transferred to the UP Diliman.

METROPOLITAN THEATRE by:

Francisco R. Monti

Was the largest of the building during modernism period.

ARCHITECTURE IN
THE PHILIPPINES

Architecture During The Spanish

Period
In the early part of Spanish regime, houses still used
light materials. Later on, stronger materials were used.
Adobe stones were used as materials for construction.
Churches were built on the eastern side of plaza and
Casa Real or Casa judicial on the opposite side. Native
houses were situated away from the town center.
;

Early Churches of Intramuros

The first building of architectural importance in
Intramuros were the San Agustin Church and Manila
Cathedral. Chief characteristic of these buildings
were their massiveness and stability. The San Agustin
church is one of the few churches constructed in the
Phil. With a true barrel vaulting that made the church
withstood the severest earthquakes.

The Manila Cathedral which was destroyed by

earthquakes in 1863 was rebuilt under Fr. Urcioni;

also an architect. It had three Naves: the sacristy was
behind the main altar; huge octagonal tower and
faade was in the Renaissance style. In the provinces,
the parish priest managed the church construction.

Manila Cathedral

San Agustin Church

Early Churches in Northern Luzon

These churches the Our Lady of Purification Parish

Church in Binmaley (Pangasinan); Dagupan City(St. John
Cathedral and St. Therese Church), San Fernando City and
Laoag City, Paoay and Bacarra in Ilocos Norte and other
churches in Region 1-had something in common . Nearly all
of them are in barn style, of large dimensions, have high
pitched roofs which give a squat silhoutte. Despite the
repairs and reconstruction made after the last war, the
injured portions are still discernible.

San Fernando City (La Union) Church

This church gives the appearance of a false front when seen from the
sides. This is the result of the restoration of the faade, the only portion
of the church accorrded with architectural treatment originally.
The architecture is classic form. Comice and band separate the first
story fom the second. Pairs of engaged Tuscan looking pillars flash the
main portal. Similar pillars are repeated in the second story where they
flash a choir light. The third story is lesser in height. The edges of each
story were treated differently-the second story with stylized acanthus;
third story, with volutes; and fourth story, with pies de gallo and is
capped in a curved pediment supported by engaged pillars.

San Fernando City Church

(La Union)

Bauang Church(La Union)

This church is quasi-classic style. The faade is a
tall rectangle whose inclined sides probably
followed the pitch of the tile roof that covered the
nave originally. Four tall composite pillars adorned
the rectangle in the traditional manner. False doors
are on each side of the portal. The capitals of the
pillars are of two sections separated by two bands.
Three anahaw leaves adorn the lower section.

Bauang Church(La Union)

Some Churches in
Manila

Binondo Church

This Church was built in 18th century, originally had the shape of truncated cone. It
was damaged by the 1863 earthquake. It was rebuilt later .

San Sebastian Church

This church was damaged by earthquake in 1863 and 1880, was changed into a new face. The
recollect fathers built a new one that would stand all disasters. The church was one of the first
prefabicated buildings in the Philippines.

Santo Domingo Church

This church was reconstructed of brick and stone. The style is quasi-Gothic. The

completion of the church reconstructed at that time was done by Felix Roxas. Felix
Roxas was a distinct architect who designed buildings like the Enriquez house and
Paterno house,

Vigan Cathedral (Ilocos Sur)

Is said to be the first building in ilocos region to have a
tile roof. In this niche is the equestrian image of
Santiago.

Vigan Cathedral
(Ilocos Sur)

Laoag Church (Ilocos Norte)

Completed in the 19th century, was built by the Augustinians.

Pampanga and Bulacan Churches

Lubao Church
Suferred heavy damage in 1942 because of
japanese shelling. The roof ceiling was
damaged but the three storey high retable
escaped damage.

Lubao Church(Pampanga)

San Miguel de Mayumo Church

Is noted for once beautifully painted ceiling of the nave
and dome. The decoration painted in local tempera
deteriorated but restored later.

San Miguel de Mayumo ( Bulacan)

Barasoian Church
Has a faade with a mixed features compuesto style.

Barasoian Church (Bulacan)

Morong church
Is of baroque architecture. The cornices and
balustrades of the first and second stories fit
into the curved recession.

Tanay church
Whose bell tower stands high, was built in 1873. The
statue of St. Idelfonso is lodged in the pediment niche.

Miagao Church
Was constructed in the 18th century using stones
gathered by the townsfolk. The tobriya gathered
from a far distance were used for the structural parts
while the other parts of stones for ornamentation.

Miagao Church (Ilo-ilo)

Syquia Mansion (Vigan

City)

Architecture during the American

Period
During the early stage of American Period repair
rehabilitation and construction of buildings and other
structures were done principally by army engineers
employed by governor taft.

Architecture during the American

Period

Concrete buildings in Manila

The Phil. Normal University in Taft Avenue were the first big reinforced concrete building erected
in manila.

Concrete buildings in Manila

Contemporary Architecture
Metropolitan Theatre, Liwasang Bonifacio

Capitol Building(Bacolod City)

The Post Office building designed also by Toledo and

Arellano, situated in Plaza Lawton (now Liwasang

Bonifacio) was erected in 1926. It was designed to
cater to the public. One side of the spacious lobby is a
continuous counter with grills set with windows at
intervals.

Thank you for

listening
By
Juliet Lacson
Mary Jane Barcelona
Immghard Jade Songcayawon