The long list of Filipino Painters and their Masterpieces who showcase a visual representation using a variety of mediums and materials will surely captivate the locals and visitors.
Juan Luna was a well-known Filipino painter who was born on October 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and a son to Joaquin Luna and Laurena Novicio. He studied designing at the Academia de Dibujo Y Pintura at the Ateneo de Manila. He entered Escuella de Bella Artes in Madrid while he was on travel in Spain in 1877. The eminent work of art that made Juan Luna a popular painter are The Death of Cleopatra, The Blood Compact and The Spolarium. The Death of Cleopatra made him win the gold medal and was sold for 5000 pesetas in 1881. Other remarkable works included:
* Ang Mestisa
* Ang Labanan sa Lepanto
* Ang Tagumpay ni Lapu-lapu
* Ang Aliping Bulag
* Ang Espanya sa Pilipinas
When he returned to the Philippines he was suspected of being a member of the Katipuneros that is why he was captured and imprisoned at Fort Santiago in 1896. After that, he goes back to Spain and accompanied with Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Jose Rizal. Shortly he died on December 7, 1899 due to sickness.
Filipino painter, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo sprung during the 19th century. He was the third son among the seven children of Eduardo Resurrecccion Hidalgo and Maria Barbara Padilla and was born on February 21, 1853 in Manila. He studied in the University of Santo Tomas and at the same time registered at the Escuella de Dibujo y Pintura. He studied at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando de Madrid. The following are the masterpieces of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo:
* Flora de Filipinas (Plants of the Philippines) - awarded second place for best cover design for de Luxe edition.
* La Siesta (Nap in the afternoon) – in 1881, a piece that was constructively reviewed in La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana.
* Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (The Christian virgins to the Populace) – in Madrid in 1884, granted the ninth silver medal award by the Exposicion General de Bells Artes.
* La Barca de Aqueronte (The Boat of Charon) - received a gold medal in the international exposition in Madrid and was bought for 7500 pesetas by the Spanish government.
* Laguna Estigia (The Styx)
* El Violinista - was accorded a gold medal at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri.
The first Filipino who was distinguished as the Philippines National Artist in Painting was Fernando Amorsolo in 1972. His paintings were exhibited on January 23, 1969 during the inauguration of the Manila Hilton’s art center and he was named as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Arts”. Amorsolo’s works covered an array of subjects but he was especially acknowledged for ideal and romantic subjects that describes the images of life in the countryside of Filipino women like the Dalagang Bukid or Dalagang Nayon. He also painted historical paintings on pre-colonial and Spanish colonization and events of Filipino customs, fiestas, occupations and cultures.The technique of backlighting and the use of natural light were Amorsolo’s trademarks.
C Victorio. Edades became famous as the “Father of Modern Philippine Painting” due to his skill in painting in bold impasto stroke and his advocacy in creative art. The themes illustrated in Edades’ works featured laborers, simple folk and factory workers and he preferred to use dark and sad colors contrasting to Amorsolo’s technique. In 1930’s, he was the Dean of the Department of Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas’. He was the one who introduced the liberal arts programs as part of the subjects in foreign languages and art history that will lead to a degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts and this made University of Santo Tomas the first Philippine art school. Galo B was invited by Edades. Ocampo and Carlos “Botong” Francisco to teach in the university as professor artists. The three piloted the growth of mural painting in the Philippines and would collectively be known as the astounding “Triumvirate”. When he retired from teaching he was recognized as an outstanding “visionary, teacher and artist and was conferred honoris causa of Doctor of Fine Arts. Among his works were:
* The artist and the Model
* Portrait of the Professor
* Japanese Girl
* Mother and Daughter
* The Wrestlers
* Poinsettia Girl
The poet of Angono Carlos “Botong” Francisco revived the forgotten art of mural painting. He was linked with the “modernist” artist and also turned the rubbish of the historic past into glowing records of legendary courage of the ancestors. Francisco’s trademark utilizing lush tropical sense of color and faith in folk values made him well known to the townspeople of Angono. Major works of Carlos “Botong” Francisco include:
* Portrait of Purita
* The Invasion of Limahong
* Serenade
* Muslim Betrothal
* Blood Compact
* First Mass at Limasawa
* The Martyrdom of Rizal
* Bayanihan
* Magpupukot
* Fiesta
* Bayanihan sa Bukid
* Sandugo
Feast your eyes on the unique and creative works of Filipino painters may it be on abstract, portrait and landscape.