Painting is a way for artists to do so many things: express emotions, convey ideas, and sometimes, make a change in society. And these works of art reflect a nation’s culture. Just like what the talented Filipino famous painters do with their masterpieces. Paintings in Philippines aren’t like any other art. More than being aesthetically pleasing, the Filipino paintings show the country’s culture and history that shaped the present times.

Notable Paintings Philippines

Just like real estate properties, pieces of art like Filipino paintings don’t depreciate in value. Over time, the value increases as high as the cost of a high-end house and lot already. Here we’ve listed some of the most famous paintings in the Philippines that gave the country a cultural identity.

1. The Making of the Philippine Flag by Fernando Amorsolo
2. Spoliarium by Juan Luna
3. Gathering of Heroes by Juanito Torres
4. Filipino Struggles Through History by Carlos “Botong” Francisco
5. Granadean Arabesque by José Joya
6. Alkaff Bridge by Pacita Abad
7. The Fishermen by Ang Kiukok
8. Sabel by Benedicto Cabrera
9. Three Women In A Landscape by Anita Magsaysay-Ho
10. Noche Clara by Fernando Zóbel

What’s inside this blog?

• Notable Paintings Philippines
• Frequently Asked Questions About Paintings Philippines

Whether you want to discover the most notable traditional painting in the Philippines or the contemporary art famous paintings in the Philippines, we got you covered. Learn more about the arts in the Philippines as we listed the famous paintings in the Philippines.

1. The Making of the Philippine Flag by Fernando Amorsolo

The famous artist in the Philippines behind this painting is Fernando Amorsolo. The Making of the Philippine Flag is one of the most famous paintings in the Philippines. It shows three women (Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, Dr. Jose Rizal’s niece). This Filipino painting may be the most notable but there are some stories going around saying that Amorsolo’s depiction isn’t accurate because one of the three women sewing the Philippine flag is a child. 

2. Spoliarium by Juan Luna

Spoliarium—a gigantic painting more than 4 meters high and 7.5 meters wide, making it the largest painting in the Philippines—is among the most Philippine historical paintings. The famous artist in the Philippines behind this painting is Juan Luna. Although the painting does not portray any historical event or figure, this famous painting in the Philippines is considered an important symbol of the Philippine revolution. You can see Spoliarium at the National Museum of Fine Arts.

3. Gathering of Heroes by Juanito Torres

Photo courtesy of Galerie Joaquin via Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom

Another notable Filipino painting is the Gathering of Heroes created by the Filipino modern artist Juanito Torres. This famous art in the Philippines depicts key figures in Philippine history, including those part of the 19th-century Philippine movement, in what is said to be a composition reminiscent of Marvel’s “X-Men” cover. The Filipino artist who created this wonderful Philippines art is Juanito Torres.

4. Filipino Struggles Through History by Carlos “Botong” Francisco

According to the National Museum, the “Filipino Struggles Through History” is arguably the greatest extant work of  Filipino famous painter Carlos “Botong” Francisco, and among his last, as it was finished in 1968—only months before his death on March 31, 1969. 

In 1996, this Filipino painting was declared a National Cultural Treasure, which means that it is “a unique cultural property found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation.” This famous painting in the Philippines can be seen at the National Museum of Fine Arts.

5. Granadean Arabesque by Jose Joya

The “Granadean Arabesque,” a masterpiece by a Filipino famous painter and National Artist Jose Joya, is a horizontal Philippine abstract art that showcases different shades of yellow, broad strokes and an impasto mixed with sand. This masterpiece is an embodiment of Joya’s talent as a mixed-media artist and pioneer of modern Filipino paintings and art in the country.

With a size of 305 cm by 118 cm, the Granadean Arabesque was among the works of Joya showcased to represent the Philippines in the prestigious Venice Biennale in 1964—the first time that the Philippines participated in the world’s longest-running biennale and the leading showplace for contemporary art and the international avant-garde. This being said, Granadean Arabesque is definitely one of the famous paintings in the Philippines.

6. Alkaff Bridge by Pacita Abad

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

While this might not be the usual Filipino painting hanging on a wall, Alkaff Bridge in Singapore is one of the most popular works of art created by a notable painter in the Philippines, Pacita Abad. She is a Filipino artist born in Batanes. Her work Alkaff Bridge is a 55-meter bridge covered in over 2,000 colourful circles making it among the most visited attractions in Singapore. The Alkaff Bridge was completed a few months before Pacita passed away from lung cancer in 2004.

7. The Fishermen by Ang Kiukok

Another Filipino painting worth noting is The Fishermen by National Artist in the Philippines, Ang Kiukok. This Filipino famous painting depicts the hope and struggle of fishermen. The Fishermen shows a group working together as they haul a net telling us their struggle. While the crimson sun above is an emphatic symbol of constancy and perpetual energy. 

8. Sabel by Benedicto Cabrera

If you’re searching for contemporary Filipino paintings, there’s a high chance you’ve stumbled upon the renowned Sabel by BenCab. According to him, “Sabel” was the woman she saw scavenging around his Bambang neighborhood in 1964. She took a photo of him and sketched it. To him, Sabel is a representation of not just a homeless woman but of any Filipina as well. Now, the Filipino painting Sabel is a major subject that recurs through BenCab’s works through the decades.

9. Three Women In A Landscape by Anita Magsaysay-Ho

Photo credits to Gandalf’s Gallery via Flickr

If you’re fond of Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s paintings, you’d notice that she likes to celebrate the Filipino women in her works. She is the first cousin of former president Ramon Magsaysay, a student of the well-known painter in the Philippines Fernando Amorsolo, and one of the pioneering Filipino modern artists.

Among her most famous paintings for sale Philippines is the “Three Women In A Landscape” portraying women with high cheekbones, slanted eyes, and beautiful morena skin surrounded by nature, harvesting crops, selling fish, or gathering grain.

10. Noche Clara by Fernando Zobel de Ayala

If the name Fernando M. Zóbel de Ayala rings a bell, that’s because he is part of the prominent and wealthy Ayala family. But more than being an Ayala, he is known for his talent for paintings Philippines. He has developed his distinct style that people came to know even with a glance and is now considered among the most expensive artists in the country because of his painting price Philippines. His popular Filipino paintings are usually composed of blacks, whites, and blues. 

In May 2008, his piece Noche Clara was sold in Hong Kong for a whopping price of PHP 6,000 000, setting the record for the most expensive Philippines art painting. This record has been broken since when in 2013, a work of his was sold at Sotheby’s for HKD 8,200,000 ($1,060,000).

Frequently Asked Questions About Paintings Philippines

Q: What are the famous paintings in the Philippines?
A: From easy Filipino paintings and mural painting in the Philippines to Fernando Amorsolo Filipino paintings, here’s a list of the most notable Filipino paintings:

• The Making of the Philippine Flag by Fernando Amorsolo
• Spoliarium by Juan Luna
• Gathering of Heroes by Juanito Torres
• Filipino Struggles Through History by Carlos “Botong” Francisco
• Granadean Arabesque by José Joya
• Alkaff Bridge by Pacita Abad
• The Fishermen by Ang Kiukok
• Sabel by Benedicto Cabrera
• Three Women In A Landscape by Anita Magsaysay-Ho
• Noche Clara by Fernando Zóbel

Q: Who is the Filipino artist who created Dalagang Bukid?
A: The Filipino artist who painted the Dalagang Bukid is Fernando Amorsolo. He was a national artist in painting.

Q: Is Carlos Botong Francisco a national artist in the Philippines?
A: Yes, he was a national artist in painting.

Q: Who are the popular Filipino artists and their artworks?
A: The Philippines is home to many talented Filipino painters that are making a name for themselves. To cut the story short, here’s a list of the popular Filipino artists and their artworks:

1. Fernando Amorsolo – The Making of the Philippine Flag
2. Juan Luna – Spoliarium
3. Juanito Torres – Gathering of Heroes
4. Carlos “Botong” Francisco – Filipino Struggles Through History
5. José Joya – Granadean Arabesque
6. Pacita Abad – Alkaff Bridge
7. Ang Kiukok – The Fishermen
8. Benedicto Cabrera – Sabel
9. Anita Magsaysay-Ho – Three Women In A Landscape
10. Fernando Zóbel – Noche Clara

Q: Who is the national painter of the Philippines in 1972?
A: Fernando Amorsolo was the national painter of the Philippines in 1972. He became the first Filipino to be distinguished as the Philippine’s National Artist in Painting.

Q: What is the largest famous art in the Philippines?
A: Spoliarium is the largest painting in the Philippines with a size of 4 meters high and 7.5 meters wide. It can be found at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.

Q: Who made the Spoliarium?
A: Juan Luna created the Spoliarium, a famous painting in the Philippines.

Disclaimer: ZEN Rooms claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on ZEN Rooms, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

The Philippines is such a beautiful country full of wonders that never fails to amaze everyone. It’s beautiful enough that many Filipinos transform what they see to a remarkable masterpiece, making the art in the Philippines popular across the world. 

Whether it’s a simple group of women doing the laundry in the streams or a struggling fisherman waiting for his first catch, there are so many artworks in the Philippines that tell stories we failed to see. 

10 Contemporary Filipino Artists You Must Know

If there are box office kings and queens in the film industry, there are also art box office stars whose talents are beyond imagination. In case you don’t know yet, there are so many notable contemporary arts in the Philippines. Here’s a list of some contemporary Filipino artists and their artworks that showed the world how beautiful the art in the Philippines is.

1. Ronald Ventura: “Crack in the Hull,” at the León Gallery Magnificent September Auction 2014 at P25.7 million.
2. Andres Barrioquinto: “The Back of Love” at the León Gallery Magnificent September Auction 2019, at P12.9 million
3. Elmer Borlongan: “Quiapo,” León Gallery Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2017, P9.9 million
4. Jose John Santos III: “Surface Tension,” at the León Gallery Magnificent September Auction 2017, P9.3 million, and for “Untitled” at the León Gallery Magnificent September Auction 2016, P9.3 million
5. Annie Cabigting: “Kunst Museum,” León Gallery Asian Cultural Council 2019, P7 million
6. Jigger Cruz: “Blares of the Opposite,” León Gallery Kingly Treasures 2015, P6.7 million
7. Mark Justiniani: “Ang Hari,” León Gallery Spectacular Mid-Year Auction of 2018, P6.42 million
8. Alfredo Esquillo: “Daang Ligid Cruz,” León Gallery Auction 2013, P4.1 million
9. Marina Cruz: “White on Red Threads,” León Gallery Magnificent September 2015, P3.3 million
10. Buen Calubayan: “Bundok Banahaw,” León Gallery Kingly Treasures 2016, P3 million

Source: Philippine Star

What’s inside this blog?

• Traditional Art in the Philippines
• Contemporary Arts in the Philippines
• Indigenous Arts in the Philippines
• Famous National Artists of the Philippines
• Frequently Asked Questions About Art in the Philippines

Whether you’re looking for Filipino paintings of famous artists in the Philippines or sculpture in the Philippines, we’ve covered everything you need in this art in the Philippines guide.

Traditional Art in the Philippines

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Traditional art is a part of a culture of a certain group of people, with skills and knowledge passed down through generations from masters to apprentices. It portrays the simple life before the massive growth of a country.

The traditional arts in the Philippines include folk architecture, maritime transport, famous sculpture in the Philippines, weaving, carving, folk performing arts, folk (oral) literature, folk graphic and plastic arts, ornament, pottery, and other artistic expressions of traditional culture. Among the most famous forms of traditional art in the Philippines is weaving. Each island (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) has its own distinctive style of weaving to show the Philippine culture.

Suggested read: Mindanao Beyond Chaos: Discovering The Colorful Mindanao Culture

Notable Traditional Artists in the Philippines

1. Fernando Amorsolo: “Lavanderas”
2. Juan Luna: “Spoliarium”
3. Carlos “Botong” Francisco: “Bayanihan”
4. Guillermo Tolentino: “Oblation”
5. Napoleon Abueva: “Kaganapan”
6. Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo: “Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho”
7. Mauro Malang Santos (Malang): “Street Fight”
8. Yabing Masalon Dulo: B’laan Ikat Master Weaver

Contemporary Arts in the Philippines

Photo credit to The Girl Behind the Pen

The term contemporary art refers to art produced today. It can be through the form of painting, sculpture in the Philippines, photography, installation, performance, and video art. However, the exact starting point of contemporary arts in the Philippines and in the world is still debated and unclear but many art historians consider the late 1960s or early 1970s to be a suitable estimate. Read the list below of the Filipino artists who exhibited some of the best contemporary art examples in the Philippines.

Notable Contemporary Artists in the Philippines

1. Ronald Ventura: “Crack in the Hull”
2. Andres Barrioquinto: “The Back of Love”
3. Elmer Borlongan: “Quiapo”
4. Jose John Santos III: “Untitled”
5. Annie Cabigting: “Kunst Museum”
6. Jigger Cruz: “Blares of the Opposite”
7. Mark Justiniani: “Ang Hari”
8. Alfredo Esquillo: “Daang Ligid Cruz”
9. Marina Cruz: “White on Red Threads”
10. Buen Calubayan: “Bundok Banahaw”
11. Benedicto Cabrera: “Family”
12. Oscar Villamiel: “Cheap Medicine”

Indigenous Arts in the Philippines

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Indigenous art in the Philippines is made by the indigenous peoples of the Philippines that include works in raw materials such as an extract from trees, fruits, and vegetables. 

Check out the list of indigenous Filipino artists who have preserved some of the Philippines’ most important indigenous traditions that are considered Philippine art.

Notable Indigenous Artists in the Philippines

1. Uwang Ahadas: Yakan musical instruments player from Lamitan, Basilan
2. Magdalena Gamayo: Textile (Abel) weaver from Pinili, Ilocos Norte
3. Eduardo Mutuc: Metalsmith and artist from Apalit, Pampanga
4. Lang Dulay: Textile (T’Nalak) weaver from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
5. Samaon Sulaima: Musician, Kutyapi player from Maganoy, Maguindanao
6. Haja Amina Appi: Pandan mat weaver from Ungos Matata, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi
7. Federico Caballero: Chanter and educator from Calinog, Iloilo
8. Ginaw Bilog: Poet from Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro
9. Salinta Monon: Textile (Inabal) weaver from Bansalan, Davao del Sur
10. Masino Intaray: Chanter and musician from Palawan
11. Darhata Sawabi: Textile weaver from Parang, Sulu
12. Teofilo Garcia: Gourd hatmaker from San Quintin, Abra
13. Alonzo Saclag: Traditional dancer and musician from Lubuagan, Kalinga

Source: CNN Philippines

List of National Artists of the Philippines

If there are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, there are also thousands of Filipino artists that are making a name across the globe. So if you’re interested in Philippine paintings, visual arts in the Philippines, sculpture in the Philippines, or just Filipino artworks and Philippine arts in general, the best way to start off is to learn all about the artforms in the Philippines and the talented people behind them.

Here we’ve rounded up all the National Artists of the Philippines that you should know:

Source: Official Gazette of the Philippines

Art is something that tells us stories we ignored and shows us beauty in chaos we failed to see. Don’t be intimidated by art. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Art in the Philippines

Q: What are the forms of artworks in the Philippines?
A: There are different artworks in the Philippines like traditional arts, indigenous arts, and contemporary arts in the Philippines or modern art in the Philippines. 

These forms of arts include Philippine paintings, visual arts in the Philippines, performing artists in the Philippines, sculpture in the Philippines, Philippine wood carving, and more.

Q: Who are the national artists of the Philippines?
A: Whether it’s traditional art in the Philippines, visual arts in the Philippines, or contemporary arts in the Philippines, there is surely a Filipino artist that has made a name in the field. Here’s a list of the national Filipino artists to know: 

1. Fernando Amorsolo (Painting)
2. Francisca R. Aquino (Dance)
3. Carlos V. Francisco (Painting)
4. Amado V. Hernandez (Literature)
5. Antonio J. Molina (Music)
6. Juan F. Nakpil (Architecture)
7. Guillermo E. Tolentino (Sculpture)
8. Jose Garcia Villa (Literature)
9. Napoleon V. Abueva (Sculpture)
10. Lamberto V. Avellana (Theater and Film)
11. Leonor O. Goquingco (Dance)
12. Nick Joaquin (Literature)
13. Jovita Fuentes (Music)
14. Victorio C. Edades (Painting)
15. Pablo S. Antonio (Architecture)
16. Vicente S. Manansala (Painting)
17. Carlos P. Romulo (Literature)
18. Gerardo de Leon (Cinema)
19. Honorata “Atang” dela Rama (Theater and Music)
20. Antonino R. Buenaventura (Music)
21. Lucrecia R. Urtula (Dance)
22. Lucrecia R. Kasilag (Music)
23. Francisco Arcellana (Literature)
24. Cesar F. Legaspi (Visual Arts)
25. Leandro V. Locsin (Architecture)
26. Hernando R. Ocampo (Visual Arts)
27. Lucio D. San Pedro (Music)
28. Lino Brocka (Cinema)
29. Felipe P. de Leon (Music)
30. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (Theater)
31. Rolando S. Tinio (Theater & Literature)
32. Levi Celerio (Music & Literature)
33. N.V.M. Gonzales (Literature)
34. Arturo R. Luz (Visual Arts)
35. Jose M. Maceda (Music)
36. Carlos Quirino (Historical Literature)
37. J. Elizalde Navarro (Painting)
38. Prof. Andrea Veneracion (Music)
39. Edith L. Tiempo (Literature)
40. Daisy H. Avellana (Theater)
41. Ernani J. Cuenco (Music)
42. F. Sionil Jose (Literature)
43. Ang Kiukok (Visual Arts)
44. Ishmael Bernal (Cinema)
45. Severino Montano (Theater)
46. Jose T. Joya (Visual Arts – Painting)
47. Virgilio S. Almario (Literature)
48. Alejandro R. Roces (Literature)
49. Eddie S. Romero (Cinema & Broadcast Arts)
50. Salvador F. Bernal (Theater Design)
51. Benedicto R. Cabrera (Visual Arts)
52. Abdulmari Asia Imao (Visual Arts)
53. Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera (Literature)
54. Ramon Obusan (Dance)
55. Fernando Poe Jr. (Cinema)
56. Archt. Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr. (Landscape Architecture)
57. Ramon O. Valera (Fashion Design)
58. Manuel Conde (Film)
59. Lázaro Francísco (Literature)
60. Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (Visual Arts)
61. Alice Reyes (Dance)
62. Francisco V. Coching (Visual Arts)
63. Cirilo F. Bautista (Literature)
64. Francisco F. Feliciano (Music)
65. Ramon P. Santos (Music)
66. Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (Architecture)

Source: Official Gazette of the Philippines

Q: Where to see museums in the Philippines?
A: Here are the places to see the works of local artists in the Philippines and appreciate the beauty and meaning of each Filipino painting, Filipino sculpture, modern art in the Philippines, and so much more.

1. Ayala Museum
2. National Museum of the Philippines
3. Museo Pambata
4. Pinto Art Museum
5. The Mind Museum
6. The Dessert Museum
7. BenCab Museum
8. Lakbay Museo
9. Metropolitan Museum of Manila
10. Balay Negrense Museum
11. Museo Sugbo (Cebu Provincial Museum)
12. Davao Museum of History and Ethnography
13. Museum of Three Cultures

Must-read: 12 Fascinating Museums in the Philippines Perfect for History and Art Lovers

Q: Is there a land art in the Philippines?
A: Yes there is. In fact, one land art in the Philippines that became viral was the rice paddy art that featured 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray in Nueva Ecija.

Q: What are the 10 examples of land art in the Philippines?
A: Here are the 10 examples of land art in the Philippines:

1. Catriona Gray rice paddy in Nueva Ecija
2. Pile of stones in various Philippine beaches like Valugan Boulder Beach in Batanes
3. Rock balancing in Tanay, Rizal
4. Banaue Rice Terraces
5. Hungduan Rice Terraces
6. Batad Rice Terraces
7. Bangaan Rice Terraces
8. Mayoyao Rice Terraces
9. Nagacadan terraces
10. Cadapdapan Rice Terraces

Disclaimer: ZEN Rooms claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on ZEN Rooms, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.