Life & Art: How Iconic Filipino Artists and Artisans Came to Be

Art has always been a part of one’s culture. As artistic expression paves way for the discussion of one’s thoughts, feelings, traditions, and beliefs, it’s no wonder that artwork can provide a lot of information to one’s own history. Being colonized for more than 400 years, classic Filipino art, especially paintings, were heavily influenced by European art style. What makes it different is the mastery of craft provided by historical artists in depicting the life of the Filipino people under colonial rule.

The Great Historical Masters of the 19th Century

Félix Resurrección Hidalgo, or simply Felix Hidalgo, is a well-known historical figure in the Filipino art scene during the 19th century. He is often regarded as one of the greatest painters of the Philippines, alongside friend and artist, Juan Luna. Hidalgo was born in Manila to a prominent family and as an illustrado, was able to travel to Spain to further pursue his studies in art, philosophy, and law. He gained a scholarship to pursue his studies in painting at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes. In 1884, his work, Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (“Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace”), was awarded global accolades. Winning a silver medal, this piece was considered a landmark achievement that proved the ability of Filipinos artists to match the work of Spaniards and laid claim to Filipino participation in European art culture. Hidalgo lived a life being acknowledged and awarded for his artworks in the Philippines, Europe, and the United States.

One cannot think of Philippine art without thinking about the incredible Spoliarium (1884) and its artist, Juan Luna. Another prominent historical figure, Juan Luna was initially not an artist; he first became an apprentice officer while taking painting lessons from time to time. Most of his acclaimed works were painted in Rome, where Daphne y Cleo and The Death of Cleopatra (1881) were created. His most ambitious work ever, the Spoliarium, has a dimension of 13.1 ft by 23 ft (4m by 7m), making it the largest painting that the Philippines owns. It shows the basement of the Roman Colosseum where multiple subjects of the painting are seen to be doing different actions like women mourning, and scavengers eyeing for potential possessions from the dead. The piece won a gold award in the 1884 Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts. Luna’s work is interpreted as the state of the Philippines during the rule of Spaniards, allegedly sparking the revolution in the country.

Women as Game Changers in Philippine Art History

It should come as no surprise that many of the movers and shakers of Philippine art history were women. In a profession dominated by men, they’ve accomplished brilliant feats that continue to pave the way for all artists. Purita Kalaw-Ledesma stood as modern art’s staunchest defender at a time when the traditional style of painting was the norm. The space she chose would eventually become the Art Association of the Philippines—Kilometer 0 for the budding modernist art movement at the time. Anita Magsaysay-Ho, whose subject was the spirit of the Filipina, was the only woman in the well-renowned group of artists now referred to as the Thirteen Moderns. Other notable figures include Nena Saguil, who is most well-known for her canvases speckled with spherical objects, and Pacita Abad. Abad was a force to be reckoned with; using the Italian “trapunto” technique, which involved layering and stitching textiles together, she retold complex stories—tales of her travels and of the people she met along the way.

The Impact of Artisans and Heritage Conservation

In the realm of artisans, several women have made a mark on the Philippine fashion industry by putting a strong emphasis on elements and nuances that are uniquely Filipino. Patis Tesoro has become one of the strongest advocates for heritage conservation in the country. She has championed the revival of the country’s national attire by raising awareness on traditional fabrics such as piña and local cotton. Similarly, Anne Marie Saguil aims to uplift the lives of Filipino artisans through her brand Amarie, which features intricate calado embroidery carefully stitched by hand in every garment. These contributions are balanced by designers like Gabbie Sarenas, who aims to preserve traditional Filipino techniques and craftsmanship to create clothes for modern young women who wish to express their pride in their heritage.

Key Figures in Filipino Art and Craft

• Juan Luna: Creator of the Spoliarium, the largest painting in the Philippines; 1884 Gold Medalist.
• Félix Resurrección Hidalgo: Painter of Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho; 1884 Silver Medalist.
• Anita Magsaysay-Ho: The only female member of the "Thirteen Moderns" art group.
• Purita Kalaw-Ledesma: Founder of the Art Association of the Philippines and advocate for modern art.
• Patis Tesoro: Lead advocate for heritage conservation and the traditional baro’t saya.
• Pacita Abad: Known for the "trapunto" layering and stitching technique in visual narratives.