March 22, 2019: National Museum of Fine Arts (Part 2)

After basking in the glory of Juan Luna's Spoliarium, it was time to explore the various galleries. The hallways leading to the different exhibits were lined with intricate sculptures. 

There are many paintings from renowned artists like Vicente Manansala, Carlos "Botong" Francisco, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo and several others. All sorts, from portraits, landscapes, religious themed to pages from our colorful history.

"The Boat of Charon" by Felix R. Hidalgo is inspired by
Dante Alighieri's "Inferno"

Mass after planting of the first Cross by Vicente Manansala.
This Cross, symbolizes the start of Christianity in our country
and can still be found in Cebu. 

Manansala paints Magellan giving a statue of the Santo Nino
to Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon. This relic can still be found in the
altar of the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino in Cebu.

There is an entire hall featuring many paintings of Jose Rizal as well as his own sculptures. 

"St. Paul the First Hermit" - terra cotta sculpture by Rizal,
in Dapitan, Zamboanga /1893

"A Mother's Revenge" - terra cotta sculpture by Rizal,
Dapitan in Zamboanga /1894

This piece by Leonardo Cruz is his vision of
Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere".

A section is also dedicated to our indigenous sector. Wares, statuettes, weaved tapestry comprised this small hall.