Filipino Painters And Their Masterpieces

The long list of Filipino painters and their Masterpieces who showcases a visual representation using a variety of mediums and materials will surely captivate the locals and visitors.

Juan Luna was a distinguished Filipino painter born to Joaquin Luna and Laurena Novicio on October 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. 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 famous masterpieces that made Juan Luna a renowned painter are The Death of Cleopatra, The Blood Compact and The Spolarium. The Death of Cleopatra made him won 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. Afterwards he went back to Spain and joined with Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcrlo H. del Pilar and Jose Rizal. Shortly he died on December 7, 1899 due to sickness.

Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo was Filipino painter that 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 simultaneously enrolled at the Escuella de Dibujo y Pintura. He enrolled 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) - a piece which was favorably reviewed in La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana in 1881.

* Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (The Christian virgins to the Populace) - garnered the ninth silver medal award by the Exposicion General de Bells Artes in Madrid in 1884.

* 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 a variety of subjects but he was especially known for ideal and romantic subjects that portrays the images of life in the countryside of Filipino women such as 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.

Victorio C. Edades became known as the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting" because of his technique 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. He became the Dean of the University of Santo Tomas' Department of Achitecture in the 1930's. 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. Edades invited Galo B. 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 known by 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.