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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