MARTYRDOM OF RIZAL MURAL

The Martyrdom of Rizal Mural, done in 1960 is

one of the
best known work of Carlos “Botong” V.
Francisco, Philippine
National Artist for Visual Arts in 1973.
Francisco is best
known for his landmark murals depicting some
of the Philippine
historical events. The mural depicts the
execution of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose
Rizal at Bagong Bayan (now Rizal Park) on
December 30, 1896. The mural was
commissioned by Fort Santiago as part of the
Rizal Shrine.
CARLOS “BOTONG” FRANCISCO
National Artist for Painting (1973)
(November 4, 1912 – March 31, 1969)
Carlos “Botong” Francisco, the poet of Angono, single-handedly revived the forgotten
art of murals and remained its most distinguished practitioner for nearly three decades.
In panels such as those that grace the City Hall of Manila, Francisco turned fragments
of the historic past into vivid records of the legendary courage of the ancestors of his
race. He was invariably linked with the “modernist” artists, forming with Victorio C.
Edades and Galo Ocampo what was then known in the local art circles as “The
Triumvirate”. Botong’s unerring eye for composition, the lush tropical sense of color and
abiding faith in the folk values typified by the townspeople of Angono became the
hallmark of his art.His other major works include the following: Portrait of Purita, The
Invasion of Limahong, Serenade, Muslim Betrothal, Blood Compact, First Mass at
Limasawa, The Martyrdom of Rizal, Bayanihan, Magpupukot, Fiesta, Bayanihan sa
Bukid, Sandugo.Francisco's works revolved around Filipino customs and traditions.
The National Artist also painted many historical events that chronicled important events
such as the First Mass at Limasawa, The Martyrdom of Rizal, The Invasion of
Limahong, and the Blood Compact. In 1961, Francisco served as the production
designer for National Artist Geraldo de Leon's film adaptation of Dr Jose Rizal's Noli Me
Tángere.De Leon is the only Filipino director in the Philippines to have won the Filipino
Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) for Best Director for three
consecutive years: 1960, 1961 and 1962.

Harana, 1957 (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Collection)