PHILIPPINE ART HISTORY

18th Century
Earliest among the collection are religious in
themes and composed of 18th century icons
and images created by local artisans under the
tutelage of the friars. The devotional pieces of
the collection are of outstanding significance.

Coronation of the Virgin

Retalbo

During the late Spanish colonial period, the

school of Academism or salon painting
emerged and produced the likes of Juan N.
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, who are
now considered as 19th century masters.

Spolarium
Mothers Revenge
Governor Dasmarinas

1900s
In the succeeding American period, Fernando
C. Amorsolo, who was later declared as the
First National Artist, rose into fame and
established his own style or school which was
largely characterized by countryside scenery
with golden sunlight.
La Descencion de Jesus

during the Japanese occupation. However,

some visual artists still managed to produce
artworks based on the atrocities brought by the
war.Artists represented in the collection:
Dominador Castaeda, Demetrio Diego,
Diosdado Lorenzo, Romeo Tabuena, Gene
Cabrera and others
1946-1949
After the Japanese occupation, the art
community sprang back to life. Various themes
and styles were explored and pioneered by
Filipino artists who gained experience abroad.
Mural painting emerged, spearheaded by
Carlos Francisco. Art Association of the
Philippines (AAP) was established in 1948.

1920s
The period is represented by the proliferation
of genre themes, landscapes and still lifes as
well as the emergence of pre-modernism.

Burning of Sto. Domingo

Bust. of Mons. G. Aglipay

1950s

1930s: Pre-modernism
Artists represented in the collection: Victorio
Edades, Diosdado Lorenzo, Galo Ocampo,
Carlos Francisco, Gabriel Custodio, Vicente
Manansala, Ricarte Purruganan, Romeo
Tabuena, and others.
1942-1945
A suspension on artistic activity was prevalent

The Philippine Art Gallery (PAG) was founded

with young modernists as the leading figures.
Emergence of different schools of thought (e.g.
school of Botong Francisco, school of
Manansala, emergence of the Mabini art
group.

Christmas Card Series

Harana in Manila

1970s
Most of the artists in the 1960s continued to
produce important works in this period.
Emergence of different movements such as
Peoples Art or Art for the Masses, Protest Art,
Social Realism, and the institutionalization of
the National Artist Award (1972). 11 National
Artists whose works are represented in the
collection:

1960s
Modern art reached its peak.

Ink Fish
First Mass in Limasawa
Planting of the first Cross
Mother and Child

Fernando C. Amorsolo-1972 (Painting)

Carlos V. Francisco-1973 (Painting)
Guillermo E. Tolentino-1973 (Sculpture)
Victorio C. Edades-1974 (Painting)
Napoleon V. Abueva-1976 (Sculpture)
Vicente S. Manansala-1981 (Painting)
Cesar T. Legaspi-1990 (Painting)
Hernando
R. Ocampo-1991 (Painting)
Arturo V. Luz1997 (Painting)
Jerry E. Navarro-1999
(Painting/Sculpture)
Ang Kiukok-2001
(Painting)Hills of Nikko
1980s
The period is characterized by a revival of
traditional art and ethnic art. Contemporary
sculpture became an integral part of buildings
and parks.
Artists in the collection: Eduardo Castrillo,
Ramon Orlina, Solomon Saprid, Raul Isidro,
Red Mansueto, Charito Bitanga, Phillip Victor,

Emilio Aguilar Cruz, Federico Alcuaz, Al Perez,

Virginia T. Navarro, Abdul Mari Imao, Rey Paz
Contreras, Jerusalino Araos, Norris Castillo,
and others.

Pacita Abad, Fil dela Cruz, Romulo Galicano,

Symfronio Y. Mendoza, Godofredo Y. Mendoza,
Rafael Pacheco, and others.
2000 to present

1990s
New generation of painters, sculptors and
printmakers expressing their personal feelings
and expressions emerged. Great art movement
in Europe and the Americas gained entry to the
local scene such as installation art and
experimental art. Galleries and museums were
institutionalized spearheading activities in the
cultural scene.Artists represented in the
collection: Ibarra dela Rosa, Prudencio
Lamarroza, Elizabeth Chan, Eduardo Castrillo,

Philippine art has come a long way, from the

primitive ingenuity of the Filipinos to the
present avante-garde artists exploring all
possible techniques and schools ranging from
the
traditionalists,
representationalists,
abstractionists, abstract expressionists, semiabstractionists, figurative expressionists, nonobjectivists and other forms of -isms.Art today
is an open forum of visual statements.