AESTHET IA#4 : NATIONAL MUSEUM

Dated February 7, 2016, my friends and I went to the National Museum. This interesting activity we’ve been through was part of our AESTHET class requirement. We saw different historical piece of different artist in which these work of arts of them was preserve for the next generation’s appreciation.

The memorable piece of every artists like Guillermo Tolentino, Fernando Amorsolo, Juan Luna and many other artists were placed in every corner of the National Museum. Most especially some artworks that our National Hero made were also placed in the area. Either sculpture, paintings, drawings and relics of different things and places, can be seen within the area of the NATIONAL MUSEUM.

This sculpture is entitled “Diwata” and made by Guillermo Tolentino. When you enter the National Museum, most probably this sculpture is the first art piece that you will see. And for me, seeing this sculpture really amazed me. It is very beautiful, the “Diwata” and the form or structure of this. At the back of the wings of the “Diwata” it forms symmetrical shadow that really attracts me.

This sculpture made by Guillermo caught my attention for it represents the values that Filipinos have. Nowadays, youth or either people with the younger ages forget to pray to give thanks to the creator, which were opposite to what people does before. This simple preservation of the work made by Guillermo was something we should give thanks for since it serve as model and it reflects the values that we should bring back again.

This sculpture was one of my favorite among the artworks inside the Museum; this sculpture was full of expression and message. Based on the look of the sculpture, I could guess that, this woman bringing her children who are almost lifeless were on the era or time when Philippines were being colonized. Filipino people has no right, they don’t have power. When they act against the colonizers, they were killed either you are a man or woman, a child or an adult as portray on the sculpture. So, in this sculpture, it shows the appeal of the mother to escape from fear and have the freedom that they want.

This painting of Diosdado Lorenzo portrays the, unequal and cruel treatment of the Japanese people to the Filipino women before. On the painting, it can be seen clearly that Filipino women are being subject to abuse and harassment. The expressions of fear as portrayed by the child on the other side of the painting, revenge that the man laying down on the floor was expressing and the power which portrayed by the Japanese colonizers were really seen in this artwork of Diosdado Lorenzo.

This painting is really beautiful. Honestly, I didn’t know what this painting is, but when I saw it, it really caught my attention because of the combination of the colors mostly on the part of the clouds. When I saw it, it seems like the clouds were real and not just a painting. Its colors were really well combined that made me more interested in this one. But historically, this painting portrays the era when Japanese where colonizing our country and particularly they land on the area within the Philippines, specifically in the Lingayen.

Virgin and Child for me is not just an artwork, it represent something, a big role since on the sculpture we can see the holy representation of our Mother Mary and Brother Jesus. This sculpture of Mr. Isabelo was beautiful, unlike the usual sculpture of ladies or women, his sculpture were very interesting and it has message that tries to bring about to all the people who will going to see this.

Not just a mere painting, but the Church of La Purisima Concepcion really exist and it was located at the town of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It was consider as one of the finest and beautiful structures during the Spaniards colonization. And for me, seeing this painting gives me peace. Of course, when you are in the church what are the feelings you usually feel is that, you’re calm, you’re happy and you feel peaceful. This painting is another artwork that I like for it gives me feeling that I can only get in this.

This bust made by our National Hero Rizal, was one of those good people he had encounter during his living in Dapitan. Ricardo Carnicero was the Spaniard who became Rizal’s civil guard and the one who became his good friend. Because of learning in our JOSERIZ class who Ricardo Carnicero is, it made me more interested to take a photo of this bust, which was also made by Rizal and is dedicated for him.

We should appreciate, not discriminate. We can criticize but we should also know what we patronize. We have our own arts, we have our own culture, At least let’s appreciate things and artworks that we have, artworks made by our own fellowmen before appreciating anything else or before the others. Because if not, who will give those appreciation, it’s only us. Let’s be proud that we have something that will represent us.