MODULE 8 FORUM 1

 What is the significance of artworks such as editorial cartoons, paintings, or photographs in

the mapping of history? Explain your answer and indicate your source of information.

l believe that the significance of artworks such as editorial cartoons, paintings, or

photographs in the mapping of history is that the artworks provide a means of
communicating the past in a very concrete way. The works are generally very visual as
opposed to the written word, making them a more easily remembered record of the past.
Many of the works themselves are historically significant, either because of their historical
importance, their artistic merit, or because they document the development of new art
forms. For example, the cartoons of Thomas Nast are historically significant as the earliest
examples of editorial cartoons, and the painting of Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is
historically significant because it documents the development of the art form of landscape
painting. Many of the best known images, like the iconic photograph of the crucifixion, the
first known photograph in history, have had an enormous impact on the popular
understanding of history. The photograph, which is a still picture, is a powerful way of
representing the past because it is more concrete than a written description. Also, the
photographs are a good example of how history can be told in many different ways.

The reason as to why artworks are important and very significant is because it provides a
detailed insight as to the perspective of the artist who made the artwork in regards to the historical event.
Despite being a secondary source as the artist may not have been eyewitness to the historical event, it is
still given importance as they have witnessed the reciprocated result of such event to the masses, and was
able to produce an informed opinion through their artwork. For example, in the satirical artwork from the
July 27, 1907 issue of the “Lipang Kalabaw”, if we analyze the artwork, we can observe the negative
connotations that derive from death sentence from the Filipino Freedom Fighters who committed banditry
as instructed by the Americans. This may have caused an outpour of reactions by the masses especially
during the sensitive time of the Americans’ act of colonization of the Philippines. If it weren’t for such
artworks, we would be unable to have a unique perspective, or visual details that pertain to the significant
historical event. These are crucial puzzle pieces that would help in forming the overarching timeline, and
the emotional or rational background that went into a significant historical event. This then helps us, the
historians of the present become properly informed by such issues.
 Explain the historical contexts of the succeeding paintings and illustrations. Examine the
artworks. What do they tell us? The historical contexts that derive from such artworks are from
the Spanish Colonialism period in which the Philippines was under Spanish rule. In these
artworks we are able to visualize the Spanish perspectives of how they viewed the native Filipino
people during their rule. In the first painting, “Espana guia a Filipinas por el camino del
progreso” by Juan Luna in 1885, depicts a friendly relationship between a Spanish and a Filipino
woman. This showcases that the Spanish perspective in regards to their rule in the Philippines
was a peaceful and harmonious one, which may have been the truth for a brief period of time, but
their treatment towards Filipinos were often discriminatory which consequently led to their
rebellion later on. The other, much earlier artworks by Boxer Codex in 1590, “Naturales
Tagalos”, “Visayan Pintados” and “Negrillos”, showcases the different period pieces of the native
Filipinos throughout the Philippines. This is quite authentic, and crucial to its time as it depicts
Filipino artistry prior to its full colonialization by the Spanish, thus Spanish influences have not
altered the culture of Filipino dressmaking and wear. This is of significance as it allows us proper
visualization of the authentic styles of Filipinos. In the “Naturales Tagalos” it depicts rich red
cloth, weaponry, and golden jewelry which exudes class, sophistication and royalty. The male is
depicted as someone who has darker skin, which may allude to his hard-work and being exposed
to the sun through the means of battle. In the other hand, the female has fair white skin which
implicates how female royalty was valued and not forced into hard labor or battles. In “Visayan
Pintados”, intricate tattoos are showcased, which explicates the vibrancy of Visayan culture.
“Negrillos” emphasizes the native Mindanaoan people who value a simpler lifestyle as evident by
their lack of clothing, as well as their choice of weaponry.