Museums play a very big role for us people. They are the very reminder that this is how we grow as people, as certain individual in this country. Through art installations, different types of arts crafted into unique pieces—are the very reason that awakes our desire to know more than just ourselves, but our rich culture and heritage.
If you’re planning your next visit to a museum, here are some important pieces you should take note for, and pieces you can only see at the National Museum:
THE SPOLIARIUM
This might probably the biggest artwork you’ll see in this museum. The Spoliarium is a masterpiece created by the Filipino painter, Juan Luna. The painting depicts the bodies of the gladiators being dragged from a Roman arena.
On the left, scavengers eye the dead men’s possessions while a Roman beside them raises a fist in protest. A woman mourns a loved one on the right side while an old man searches for a body amid the smoky haze. The depiction of Roman cruelty in the painting has been interpreted as an allegory for the state of the Philippines under Spanish rule.
DRAWINGS AND UNFINISHED WORKS OF FERNANDO AMORSOLO
Another gallery in this building is dedicated to the country’s first ever National Artist, Fernando Amorsolo. Amorsolo was known for his oil paintings of rural life made in the classical style.
This gallery in particular showcases over 100 drawings by Amorsolo, who made a series of black-and-white pencil and ink sketches and oil studies of his subjects prior to making the final artwork.
MANUEL ROXAS MEMORABILIA
There is a specific hall dedicated to the former president, Manuel Roxas. It showcases an old flag that was used during the President’s inauguration, magazine clippings, presidential documents, books and other materials related to him.
There is also an area where you can watch a documentary about him.
“EL GOBERNADOR Y EL OBISPO” by Felix Resurrección Hidalgo
The oil painting is a metaphorical representation of an encounter between Don Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, the seventh Governor and Captain-General of the Philippines and Fray Domingo de Salazar, a Dominican Friar and first Bishop of Manila.
The two were depicted deliberating about the dispatch of a military expedition to the fort at Ternate in the Moluccas. This was President Manuel L. Quezon’s favorite painting in the Malacañang Palace before it was transferred to the National Museum of the Philippines.
“LA VENGANZA DELA MADRE” by Jose Rizal
This is a terracotta sculpture made by Rizal in 1894 while in exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga.
This sculpture depicts a mother dog rescuing her helpless pup from the attack of a crocodile—an actual representation of Filipino patriots (mother dog) saving the defenseless countrymen (the pup) from the exploitations of Spanish power (crocodile).
THE OLD RETABLO FROM BOHOL
The Luis I. Ablaza Hall houses religious Art from the 17th to 19th centuries and one of the most interesting highlights in this room is the old retablo recovered from an old church of Bohol.
The wooden retablo along with other religious sculptures were particularly taken from the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Dimiao, Bohol.
SCULPTURES OF ISABELO TAMPINCO
One of the most dominant work of art that can be seen here are the academic and neo-classical sculptures created by Isabelo Tampinco.
He is known for his various works for churches including the famous façade of Manila Cathedral, the Old Senate hall, carvings inside the Church of San Ignacio in Intramuros, high relief on the molave door of the Santo Domingo Church and many more.
THE PROGRESS OF MEDICINE IN THE PHILIPPINES
This is a set of four large paintings by National Artist Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco. They were specially commissioned for the entrance hall of the Philippine General Hospital in 1953.
These important works are on indefinite loan to the National Museum by the University of the Philippines to secure their preservation for future generations. Botong is also the muralist behind famous artworks such as the First Mass in Limasawa and The Martyrdom of Rizal.
THE SCULPTURES OF GUILLERMO TOLENTINO
This gallery is dedicated to one of the most renowned Filipino sculptors in history.
This Guillermo Tolentino gallery showcases some of his famous sculptures and memorabilia that includes bust statues of Manuel Quezon, Emilio Aguinaldo, and the famous Commonwealth Triumphal Arch.
PORTRAIT OF SERAPIA N. SANTOS Y ADUNA by Ramón Peralta Y Resurrección
This life-size portrait is the only “foto-óleo” by Peralta in the National Fine Arts Collection.
In the absence of color photography in the early 20th century, elite families opted to commission studio photographs with artists to hand-tint or paint their portraits to colorize it.
