Saturday, March 10, 2018

306. TWO RELIEVES OF CANDABA CHURCH


Adoration of the Shepherds and Adoration of the Magi form part of the series on the Nativity in the collection of Don Luis Araneta. Both are bas reliefs of polychromed molave taken from the old catholic parish church of Candaba, Pampanga, and dated approximately from the 17th century. They represent some of the earliest samples of religious wood work done in the Philippines.

Pampanga is well-known to be one of the centers of image-making during the period. Most pieces coming from here are made of hardwood and the treatment best approaches the classical among all other regions of the Philippines. The artisans of this area are relatively well-versed in the handling of drapes. Although there are deficiencies in anatomical proportions, the quality of craftsmanship is already advanced.

For instance, the Adoration of the Magi was evidently done by the same craftsman as the one who did the front cover but with a more polished effort. The color is even more exciting and vivid due perhaps due to the psychological effect of the subject dealing with kings on the sensibilities of the craftsman. The similarity in the expression of the faces is so characteristic of the images of Pampanga.

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