National Artist (Painting and Sculpture)

Fernando C. Amorsolo (Cueto)

• The Philippines’ first National Artist on April 28, 1972.

• He was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes.

• He was given the title as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art.”

  • He was popularly known for his craftmanship and mastery in the use of light

    Major Works:

    • “Planting Rice”

    • “The Making of Philippine Flag”

Carlos “Botong” Francisco

• He was posthumously awarded as National Artist for Painting in 1973.

  • He was a muralist from Angono, Rizal.

  • He is known for historically themed murals such as the Filipino Struggles through History, which is displayed at Manila City Hall.

    Major Works:

    • “First Mass at Limasawa”

    • “Harana”

    • “Bayanihan”

Guillermo Estrella Tolentino

• He was designated as a National Artist of the Philippines for Sculpture in 1973.

• He is consider as the “Father of Philippine Arts” because of his great works like the famous “Bonifacio Monument” symbolizing Filipinos cry for freedom located in intersection if EDSA and Rizal Avenue and “The Oblation” in UP signifying academic freedom.

  • He specialized in commemorative sculptures of historical figures that are monumental and grand.

    Major Works:

    • “The Oblation”

    • “Bonifacio Monument”

Napoleon Abueva

• He is known as the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture.

• He was the youngest Filipino to become a National Artist.

  • Major Works:

    • “Kaganapan”

    • “The Transfiguration”

    • “University of the Philippines Gateway”

    • “The Nine Muses”

Victorio Edades

• He is known as the Father of Modern Philippine Painting.

  • He was awarded the National Artist for Painting in 1976

    Major Works:

    • “Women bathing by a Water fall”

    • “The Builders”

    • “The Sketch”

    • “Market Scene”

    • “The Wrestlers”

Vicente S. Manansala

• He was awarded National Artist for Painting in 1981.

• He was a Filipino cubist painter and illustrator.

  • He later experimented with other art styles and is considered as the pioneer of cubism in the Philippines.

    Major Works:

  • “Madonna of the Slums”

  • “Jeepneys”

Cesar Legaspi

• He was awarded National Artist for Visual Arts in 1990.

  • His contribution to the world of Philippine Art is that through his cubist works, the country was exposed and later on accepted the validity of modern art as a movement and style.

  • He was part of the Thirteen Moderns, a group of artist who promoted modern art in the Philippines.

    Major Works:

    • “brave modern Laborers”

    • “Gadgets I and II”

    • “The Ritual”

    • “Facade”

    • “Bayanihan”

    • “Turning Point”

Hernando Ocampo

• He was a National Artist for Painting in 1991.

  • He was a self-taught painter and was a leading member of the pre-war Thirteen Moderns, the group that charted the course of modern art in the Philippines.

    Major Works:

    • “Mutant Series”

    • “Genesis”

    • “Ina ng Balon”

    • “Calvary”

    • “Slum Dwellers”

Ang Kiukok

• He was conferred the title of National Artist for Visual Arts in 2001.

• He was a Filipino painter of Chinese descent from Davao City and was a National Artist for Visual Arts.

  • His works are expressionist, eye-catching and rich in symbolism

    Major Works:

    • “The Crucifixion”

    • “Cockerel”

    • “The Thinking Man”

Benedicto Cebrera (BenCab)

• He is one of the most successful Filipino contemporary artists and was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006 by then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

  • He has been noted as “arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists.

    Major Works:

    • “Sabel”

    • “Interpretative Dance”

    • “The Huntress”

    • “Madonna with objects”

    • “People Waiting”

    • “The Indifference”