One good thing about having a rare weekday off is being able to take a day trip on a typically much less crowded and less busy day in Manila. This means that we can visit and discover the Art Gallery of the National Museum, which now has hellish queue on weekends thanks to its latest free admission policy.
Visiting a museum may not be everyone’s idea of a fun time but it has its own benefits. According to studies, it reduces stress and makes us less anxious. This is because museums offer a restorative environment where we can relax, unwind, and be inspired.
So here are photos of various artworks that will make you want to take that weekday rest day and head off to the National Art Gallery.
Hall of Masters
This historic hall of the National Museum was the old House of Representative Session Hall. Also known as the Hall of Masters, it houses artworks of Filipino greats, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
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| Bulwagang Luna at Hidalgo |
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El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante y su Hijo
by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo |
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| Spoliarium by Juan Luna |
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| Spoliarium by Juan Luna |
Gallery I
Also called the Luis Ablaza Hall, this gallery features religious art which was prevalent during the Spanish colonial times in the 17th to 19th Century.
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| An 18th century retablo from the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino |
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| Friars |
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| Wooden santos |
Note: We missed to take photos of the exhibits in Gallery II and III.
Gallery IV
Also called the Fundacion Santiago, this hall boasts sculpture collection of Filipino great sculptors such as Isabelo Tampinco.
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| Mother Nature by Vidal Tampinco |
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The Child Jesus Bearing His Sacred Heart
by Graciano Nepomuceno |
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| Lady with Cherubs by Isabelo Tampinco |
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Mujer al Lado del Batis
by Isabelo Tampinco |
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Soldier unsheathing his sword
by Isabelo Tampinco |
Gallery V
This gallery pays homage to Dr. Jose Rizal. Displayed here are art works featuring the Filipino national hero and his own artworks.
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| Gallery Description |
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| Jose Rizal by Felix Gonzales |
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| Rizal bust |
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| Rizal portrait |
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| Rizal the Reformist by Martino Abellana |
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| Mother's Revenge by Jose Rizal |
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| Ermitano by Jose Rizal |
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| Oyang Dapitana by Guillermo Tolentino, Jose Rizal and Isabelo Tampinco |
Gallery VI
This hall showcases classical art in the 20th century from the artistic successors of Luna and Hidalgo. Some of which are Fernando Amorsolo and Fabian de la Rosa.
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| University of the Philippines by Dominador Castaneda |
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Bather with a Red Jar by Jose Perreira and
Bathers by Cesar Amorsolo |
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| Paintings by A. Escuin, Dominador Castaneda, Miguel Galvez, etc. |
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| Old Bureau of Science, Barrio Scene and Intramuros by Tomas Bernardo |
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| Espanola by Fabian de la Rosa |
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| Tausug Princess by Ireneo Miranda |
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| Portrait of a Lady by Ireneo Miranda |
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| Unfinished painting by Fernando Amorsolo |
Gallery VIII
Also known as the Silvina and Juan Laya Hall, the gallery contains art depicting the Philippines during World War II. Since the works here depict conflict and suffering, they might be disturbing to some visitors.
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| A Tragic Lesson by Gene Cabrera |
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The Leyte Landing by Romeo Tabuena and
Landing of Liberation Forces at Lingayen by Eduardo Perrenoud |
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| Capas by Demetrio Diego |
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| Sculptural pieces depicting the images of war |
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Rape and Massacre in Ermita
by Diosdado Lorenzo |
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| Death March by Dominador Castaneda |
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| Bataan Death Marcher by Gene Cabrera |
Gallery IX
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| Man with a Hoe by Juvenal Sanso |
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Planting of the First Cross
by Vicente Manansala |
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| Hills of Nikko by Jose Joya |
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| Ethereal Aura by Jose Joya |
Gallery X
The MFP Hall is dedicated to set of four large paintings of Carlos Francisco entitled The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines. This originally welcomed visitors at the Philippine General Hospital, the painting is currently being preserved by the National Museum.
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| The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines |
Gallery XI
The SPPC Hall features drawings of the first Filipino National Artist, Fernando Amorsolo.
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Various drawings, studies and notes of
Fernando Amorsolo |
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Various drawings, studies and notes of
Fernando Amorsolo |
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Various drawings, studies and notes of
Fernando Amorsolo |
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Gallery XII
Also known as the Security Bank Hall, this gallery showcases the works and memorabilia of Guillermo Tolentino, the national artist who dominated Filipino sculpture for decades.
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| Gallery Description |
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| The exhibition hall |
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| Child Scuplture |
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| Portrait of a Matriarch |
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| Bust of Lapu Lapu |
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| Bust of Manuel Quezon |
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| Oblation Drawings |
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| Filipinos Ilustres |
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| Tolentino's Annual Exhibition Certificates |
We did not have enough time to view the galleries on the 3rd level of the museum which feature modern and contemporary Philippine art as well as temporary exhibitions. But that is enough reason to go back.
If you'd also like to explore the museum and discover the rich Filipino art heritage, you may visit the National Museum Visitor Information site here for more details.
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