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A Day at the National Art Gallery, National Museum of the Philippines

A friend of mine once told me: “How I wish I were blessed with artistic talent so I don’t have to work hard anymore!”

I understand what she was driving at, but she didn’t have a clue. Many people seem to think that way but nothing could be further from the truth.

I was sketching at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens when this elderly couple walked over to my bench to watch me draw. They stood there for several minutes, just quietly observing.

Leaves on bushes, flowers, the texture of bark, blades of grass, shallow pond ripples from the breeze — I patiently sketched the scene before me while they stood peering over my shoulder the entire time. When they (finally) went on their way, I heard the man remark to his wife: “That’s a gift. To be able to sit there for that long and just draw.”

He was right.

I’ve always believed that the desire to draw was far more important than the ability to draw. Talent can only take you so far, but desire can get you anywhere.

When I see masterpieces like the Spoliarium by National Artist Juan Luna, my immediate thought isn’t “wow, this guy was really talented” or “this person was blessed with so much painting ability.” No, I think about how much time, devotion, loneliness, frustration, sacrifice, self-doubt, and perseverance it took to complete something like that, and it’s awe-inspiring. Not to mention humbling.

Contrary to what my friend believed, art IS hard work.

I learned soon after that day in San Francisco that this life of self-imposed isolation wasn’t for me, so I got off the bench. It’s clear though from looking at the stellar work on display here today, that the best artists never do.

The National Art Gallery

The National Museum went through a major renovation in 2012 so much of the building looks and feels brand new. If you haven’t been lately, then you really should go. Entrance is free!
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The Old House of Representatives Session Hall

Site of the 1934 Constitutional Convention, this is the main hall and home to Juan Luna’s Spoliarium. A central hall on the House Floor (level two), it’s the first room you’ll see when you enter the National Gallery from Padre Burgos Avenue.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

L: Untitled (Diwata), Guillermo E. Tolentino, Reinforced concrete, circa 1950s
R: El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Oil on canvas, 1853
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Can you guess what everyone’s taking a picture of?
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Behold, Spoliarium! A massive painting depicting dying gladiators, this renowned painting won the gold medal at the Madrid Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884. It took Juan Luna eight months to paint this.

Spoliarium, Juan Luna y Novicio, Oil on canvas, 1884
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

A closer look at the central figure. This was my first time seeing Spoliarium in person. Needless to say, it’s impressive.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

There’s no clear path to take so I just listed the galleries down in the order that we visited them. Exhibits on the House Floor cover Philippine art from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Gallery VI

Features Philippine art from the early 20th century, most notably from Fernando Amorsolo. Together with Juan Luna, Amorosolo is one of my favorite Filipino artists. He was known for his portraits and paintings depicting rural Philippine landscapes.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Portraits by Fernando Amorsolo
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery V

Gallery honoring Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Executed in 1896 by the Spanish army, Dr. Jose Rizal was a nationalist, novelist, poet, artist, opthalmologist, journalist, and revolutionary. Author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he is widely considered as one the Philippines’ greatest heroes.

Portrait of Dr. Jose Rizal, Isabelo L. Tampinco, Plaster cast, ca. 1900
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Most Filipinos know Rizal as a novelist, but did you know that he was an artist as well? I had seen his sketches before but this was my first time seeing his sculptures.

L: El Ermitaño, Dr. Jose Rizal, Terra cotta, 1893
R: Mother’s Revenge, Dr. Jose Rizal, Terra cotta, 1894
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery III

Featuring Philippine art from the academic and romantic period, particularly from the last three decades of the 19th century. Most notable works are from Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Governor Blanco and his Troops, Felix Martinez, Oil on canvas, 1895
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Padres Dominicos, Juan Luna y Novicio, Oil on panel, 1894
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Another renowned Luna painting, I was mesemrized to see this in person. It always reminds me of John Singer Sargent’s Lady Agnew of Lochnaw.

Portrait of a Lady, Juan Luna y Novicio, Oil on wood, undated
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Don Luis Perez Dasmarinas, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Oil on canvas, 1896
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery IV – Fundacion Santiago Hall

Featuring the works of Isabelo L. Tampinco, one of the Philippines’ most celebrated sculptors.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gossiping statues
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery II – FCCP Hall

Featuring botanical drawings of Philippine plants previosuly held at the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery I – Luis I. Ablaza Hall

Featuring Christian themed art from the 17th-19th centuries.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XII – Security Bank Hall

Featuring the work of sculptor Guillermo E. Tolentino.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XI – SPPC Hall

Featuring sketches by Fernando Amorsolo. I LOVE Amorsolo’s sketches. His gestures are dynamic and reverberating with energy.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery X – MFP Hall

Gallery dedicated to The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines series of paintings by Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

A work of art in itself, the spiral staircase to the third level or Senate Floor. Isn’t is beautiful?
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Old Session Hall of the Senate of the Philippines

All the ornamentation and decoration in this Hall was done by Isabelo Tampinco. Can you see his figurative sculptures just below the ceiling?
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Exhibitions on the Senate Floor feature modern and contemporary Philippine art from the 20th to the 21st centuries.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XIV – Pillars of Philippine Modernism (1)

Featuring Philippine modern art from the 1920s-1970s, most notably from Victorio C. Edades.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XV

Temporary exhibit featuring the work of a group of artists from Dimasalang Street in Manila. Exhibit runs until 27 July 2015.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XVIII – Pillars of Philippine Modernism (4)

Featuring Philippine modern art from the 1940s-1980s, most notably from Jose Joya and Cesar Legaspi.

Fishes, Abdulmari Asia Imao, Bronze, 1976
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

L: Superstition, Cesar T. Legaspi, Oil on canvas, 1982
R: Ethereal Aura, Jose T. Joya, Acrylic on canvas, 1977
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Hills of Nikko, Jose T. Joya, Oil on canvas, 1964
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XIX – Pillars of Philippine Modernism (5)

Featuring Philippine modern art from the 1950s-1970s, most notably from Hernando R. Ocampo and Benedeicto “BenCab” Cabrera.

Paintings by Hernando R. Ocampo
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

BenCab is another personal favorite. I like his paintings, but I adore his sketches.

L: Woman in Distress, Benedeicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Acrylic on canvas, 2007
R: Sabel, Benedeicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Oil on canvas, 2008
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

See what I mean? The sketch on the left reminds me of Egon Schiele. I love the nervous but confident energy of BenCab’s line work.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XX – GSIS Northeast Hall

Treasures of the GSIS — featuring Parisian Life by Juan Luna and several paintings by Fernando Amorsolo. This was easily my favorite gallery in the entire museum. Seeing Spoliarium was incredible, but collectively, the works in this room blew me away. I’ve long admired these paintings in books so to finally see them up close, so close in fact that I could actually touch them, was something else.

The painting below is one of Juan Luna’s most celebrated works. It depicts Luna himself, Jose Rizal, and Ariston Bautista Lin having a discussion about the Philippines at a cafe in Paris. WOW.

Interior d’un Cafe (Parisian Life), Juan Luna y Novicio, Oil on canvas, 1892
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Fernando Amorsolo was a master illustrator. He was adept at depicting the human figure and using light as a means of establishing a clear focal point.

Tinikling, Fernando Cueto Amorsolo, Oil on canvas, 1950
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Under the Mango Tree, Fernando Cueto Amorsolo, Oil on canvas, 1935
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Oracion, Fernando Cueto Amorsolo, Oil on canvas, 1959
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Hallway dedicated to the works of Federico Aguilar Alcuaz

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Gallery XXV (Philam Life Hall) – Pillars of Philippine Modernism (8)

Featuring the work of Vicente Manansala, another favorite of mine. His compositions and colors are extraordinary.
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Satisfied with a morning of art appreciation, here’s Ren basking in the glow of a Manansala. Now let’s go get something to eat. 😆
The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

Museum goers will be pleased to know that the National Gallery is just one of three entities that comprise the National Museum of the Philippines. The second part is the Museum of the Filipino People which houses important historical artifacts, and the third is the Planetarium. Both are a short walking distance from here. If you have the time, then I suggest visiting all three.

The National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Manila

P. Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, Manila
Telefax: 527-0278
Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation: Tue-Sun, 10AM-5PM
Suggested Length of Visit: 2-3 hrs
Entrance: FREE

Found this article useful? Help us help other travelers by sharing it!

Joe

Friday 5th of January 2024

I wonder if it is allowed to sketch inside the museum.

JB & Renée

Monday 29th of January 2024

Good question Joe. I hope so!

konrad

Monday 29th of July 2019

Thank you for making this article, it was pleasant to read.

JB & Renée

Monday 29th of July 2019

Thanks Konrad. :)

Benjamin B. Magisa Jr.

Saturday 13th of April 2019

Hi...I am Benjamin B. Magisa Jr. I was advised by DHL Courier to go The National Museum to get a Certificate for my painting/artwork before I can send it to my sister in the states, in view of this may I know if I have to pay anything in getting that certificate and what other requirements do I have to bring, do I also have to bring my painting? Thanks...and God be with us all! N.B./note: you may visit my Fb Account to view my artworks!

JB & Renée

Saturday 27th of April 2019

I'm sorry Benjamin but I have no idea. You'll need to contact the museum directly.

Leslie

Sunday 10th of March 2019

Nice! Now I feel like I want to go back there.

JB & Renée

Monday 11th of March 2019

Happy to hear that Leslie! :)

Jojo Saddul

Thursday 16th of June 2016

Maybe you'd like to check out the Geronimo de los Reyes Museum in Gen. Trias Cavite. There aren't as much art but the collection of old photographs make it very interesting. If you're into aviation there's a lot of cool memorabilia as well.

JB & Renée

Thursday 16th of June 2016

Thanks for the tip Jojo! :)