339. FACES OF CHRIST

FACE OF CHRIST, Small painting on canvas. (PC)

As imagined by man, and created by hands both trained, unschooled and self-taught. Here are His Holy Images, captured in Western classical paintings, Mexican tin retablos, Philippine icons, and various portraits on wood, canvas, cloth and glass.

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SAGRADO CORAZON, by unknown Filipino painter. (PC)

HOLY FACE, vintage painting, after the Shroud of Turin. (PC)

ECCE HOMO, 19th C.pastel on board, U.S. (PC)

CHRIST BEARING HIS CROSS, Oil on canvas, 19thc, (PC)

BEHOLD THE MAN! 1940s U.S.painting, (PC)

ECCE HOMO, Undated and anonymous Phil. painting
sighted at a Tiendesitas antique shop.

SACRED HEART, American vintage painting on ebay.

ECCE HOMO, Reverse painting on glass, 19th c. (PC)

STO. ENTIERRO, painting on tin, Philippines (PC)

AGONY IN THE GARDEN, '50S painting (PC)

ORACION, by Domingo Celis, 1950s, (PC)

VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS,
Station of the Cross, painting on tin, 1900s. (PC)

*PC = Personal Collection, all others, from private collections and shops.

338. ARTE MEXICANO: A Sampling of Mexican Religious Art

18TH C. POLYCHROMED AND GILDED WOODEN BAS RELIEF MINIATURE

Traditional belief has it that, at the time of San Agustin's death, two angels plucked out his heart and placed it on a vessel. 

The Philippines and Mexico are linked by the common thread of history: both are part of the New Spanish Empire—Nueva España—that involved vast areas in North, Central and South America, and which expanded to the Philippines.  

In its quest to foster trade between the East Indies and the America across the Pacific, Spain sent Miguel López de Legazpi to the Philippines in 1565, but it was Andrés de Urdaneta, who found an easier sailing route from the Philippines  to Mexico,  facilitating the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Products such as silk fabrics, gold, silver, porcelain ware,  spices and gold were shipped to the Americas from Asia leading to vibrant,  commercial exchanges.

Bernard of Offida (b. 7 Nov. 1604/d. 22 Aug. 1694), born Domenico Peroni , was an Italian religious from the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He lived  in servitude to his fellow friars in various capacities and he was noted for his strong Eucharistic dedication and for his holiness.

ICON PAINTING ON WOOD.

The Virgen del Carmen and Ntra. Sr. de Soledaad de Porta Vaga are important Philippine devotions in Manila and Cavite.

The Spanish conquest also introduced both Filipinos and Mexicans to a new religion—Christianity—which spawned new religious art. Casting away their ancient idols, Filipinos and Mexicans began creating new images of their new faith copied from ancient templates brought by Spanish missionaries—carving in wood, painting in native pigments and then oils,  engraving and printing on paper.

As such, there are striking similarities in the artistic output of both Spanish Philippines and Mexico, and these fine examples of obra sagrada Mexicana—santos, relieves, laminas—clearly show that; some can even pass for Philippine folk art, and vice versa,

POLYCHROMED CARVING IN RELIEF

FOKSY PAINTING ON CANVAS, 18th c.

ST. MICHAEL, oil painting, 19thc,

ST. CATHERINE, oil painting, 19th c.

SOURCES:

ALL PHOTOS: ARTE MEXICANA MAGAZINE, 1961

337. THE PCI BANK MARIAN EXHIBIT , 8-30 Sep. 1985, Makati

Highlights from the PCI Bank Marian Exhibit held from Sep. 8-30, 1985 at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Hall, PCIB Bldg. Makati. The Opening Ceremonies were attended by His Eminence, Jaime Cardinal Sin with Mrs. Imelda Cojuangco as Guest of Honor. 

These pictures of various Marian images were featured in the book, “Bimillennium: Kaarawan ni Maria, 1985 Marian Year Book, published by Mrs. Luz M. Santos. Credits to the book publisher, as well as the photographers of these photos.

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336. RELIEVES FROM THE MIGUEL GALVEZ COLLECTION

ANGEL RELIEVE, Miguel Galvez Collection

It is no wonder that one of the most avid collectors of antique colonial santos was the artist MIGUEL GALVEZ y Geronimo (b. 27 Sep. 1912/d.Nov. 1989) of  Paombong, Bulacan. He grew up in a farming family, who later ventured into "sukang Paombong" business when they lost their landholdings. Determined to help his family, the young Miguel went to Manila to work odd jobs in the home of his artist-uncle Teodoro Buenaventura. His uncle saw his drawing talent, trained him, and then took him to U.P. to sit-in through the art classes there, where he eventually was accepted after art teachers aw his work. 

An artist who painted in the conservative style, Galvez impressed professors, art critics and painters alike, and he 1940s was his heyday, and his works won prizes and were patronized by private corporations. Galvez also represented the country in international exhibits in Kuala Lumpur, Hawaii and Tokyo. 

By 1949, he had a flourihing gallery along Mabini St., where he made his art while accumulating antiques. Galvez cashed in not only on his paintings but also in selling old ceramics, colonial paintings,  furniture and religious folk art in the form of primitive santos, and relieves (woodcarving in relief)--examples of which are on this spread. 

SOURCE:

All photos from the Miguel G. Galvez Collection, asfeatured in Philippine Catholic Digest, 1965