Art Appreciation

(Humanities)

Estares, Loredana C.

TELUS – BSBA major in Operations Management

 PAINTINGS
The Making of the Philippine Flag

This was painted by Fernando Amorsolo in 1955.

Style: Pointilism, Luminism
Material: Canvass
It is said that he aimed to show and remind the Filipino people of how our flag was made.
In the painting you will see Marcella de Agoncillo (right), who was known as the “Mother of the
Philippine flag”, together with her daughters Lorenzana and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad.
It was also said that he used Pointillism in this painting which explains why the painting looks so
rough when you look at it closely and seemed so smooth and blended perfectly from afar.
Although there he didn’t use vibrant colors on it, still you can feel the warmth and the
importance of how our flag was created.

Sources: The Making of the Philippine Flag , A Critique Paper on the artwork -The Making Of
Philippine Flag by Fernando Amorsolo
 Spoliarium

This was painted by Juan Luna in 1884.

Style: Realism and Representational art

Material: Oil in Canvas

It was a masterpiece he created that won him a 1st class award, a gold medal, in an art
competition entitled Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts in Spain.

Although it illustrates dead slave gladiators that were being dragged by the Romans, it is also
believed that this was the inspiration for Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere which encompasses
the life of the Filipinos during the periods of conquest by the Spaniards.

Sources: Spoliarium, ‘Spoliarium’ by Juan Luna (1884)

 First Mass at Limasawa

This was painted by Carlos “Botong” Francisco in 1965.

Style: Social Realism

Material: Watercolor

This artwork shows the picture of how the first mass in Limasawa, also known as Saranggani
Island, in Leyte.

People can see how the improvised and altar as Fr. Pedro Valderrama officiated the mass with
Ferdinand Magellan, Pigaffeta, some Spaniards, and our Natives attending it.

This was commissioned to celebrate the conversion of the Filipinos to Christianism.

Sources: First Mass at Limasawa , First Mass at Limasawa Botong Francisco

 SCULPTURES

Mother’s Revenge

This was sculpted by Dr. Jose Rizal during his imprisonment in Dapitan in 1894.

This shows a dog trying to save the puppy from the crocodile.

Material: Clay or Tera cotta

Sources: National Museum - Sculptures , The Mother's Revenge

 La Pietà

This was sculpted by Michelangelo during renaissance era between 1498-1499.

This shows Virgin Mary with Jesus lying on her arms after he died from Crucifixion.

It is located and has been displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Material: Marble

Sources: 10 MOST FAMOUS SCULPTURES IN THE WORLD by Anirudh , Pieta

 Statue of Liberty

This was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and was built by

A French engineer, Gustave Eiffel in 1886.

It is said to be a gift from the French people after the French Revolution. It shows the Roman
God Libertas holding a torch and a tablet with the date of the US Declaration of Independence in
Roman numerals.

Materials: Copper, Gold, Steel, Cast iron

Sources: 10 MOST FAMOUS SCULPTURES IN THE WORLD by Anirudh , Statue of Liberty

 MUSIC

Moonlight Sonata

Ludwig Van Beethoven

The music piece’s name is Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2: Sonata quasi
una fantasia

Genre: Classical

He dedicated this song to his student, Countess Giulietta Guicciardi.

He was able to complete the song even though his hearing was deteriorating. He had been
resourceful in finding a way to still make music event though he’s deaf by feeling the vibrations
of the piano keys.

Sonata No. 14, Moonlight, 1st Movement Opus 27 No. 2

Sources: Moonlight Sonata , Piano Sonata No. 14 (Beethoven)

 In My Life

The Beatles

A song written by John Lennon of The Beatles (credited to Lennon-McCartney) in 1965.

Genre: Pop Rock

He referred to it as his “first real major piece of work”. It is based on his travel by bus in
Liverpool and mostly about his life. It is part of the Rolling Stone Album.

In My Life MV with Lyrics – The Beatles – You Tube

Source: In My Life
 Who Am I

Casting Crowns

Genre: Adult Contemporary, Pop Rock, Christian Song

A song recorded by Christian rock band; Casting Crowns released in 2004.

It was written by Mark Hall and produced by Mark A. Miller and Steven Curtis Chapman.

Its inspiration came to Mark Hall while he was driving home with his family.

Who Am I – Casting Crowns (Lyrics) – You Tube

Source: Who Am I
 The Importance of Studying Humanities

Like any other fields or subjects, Humanities is also very important. Before we proceed
with that, let us understand what is Humanities first.
Humanities is a field of study that focuses on knowledge about human beings and their
culture. This includes foreign languages, history, philosophy, language arts (writing, poetry,
etc.), performing arts (dance, music, theater), and visual arts (paintings, sculptures, photography,
etc.).
Studying humanities is as important as any other studies or subjects because it shows us
things beyond natural science. It teaches us the value of expression. It makes us appreciate things
that we see around us and understand their impact on our lives.
If you think about it, we often find ourselves asking why we like classical music or
watching musical. We often play a music or a song that suits our moods. When we start to love a
song, we do research on the artists and their other songs. We then understand the inspiration in
their songs and we relate to them. Some also starts playing instruments or learn how to sing
properly because they wanted to be more involved. For some who loves to write, they also find
their inspiration from the author of the poem or novel that they had read. Apart from that, we
also strive to be better in that field and so we study or look for ways to improve.
With humanities, we get to learn how it started, understand the story behind each
sculpture or paintings, the influence that awakens the person who wrote a song, a play, or a
novel, and become more involve in the world that we live in. It is a very wide study and there’s
so much more to know.
Seek and you shall find.
 The Impact of Arts on Me

Painting has always been my way of diverting my attention specially when I am at my

lowest. It attracts me like a magnet. Looking at a painting, political or not, it amazes me seeing
how beautiful and deep they are. It awakens my imagination, trying to make my own
interpretation of them. Paintings are like my soul. They inspire me to move forward. They give
me courage to love my life more. It encourages me so much that I started painting too. I like
painting the eye. It is mysterious and full of emotion. It is very transparent. It can tell you
whether the person is happy, sad, angry, or even when he or she is lying. Above all, it helped me
overcome my anxiety. Whether I am doing my own painting or just visiting a gallery, it calms
me.

Similar to paintings, sculptures never seize to amaze me. It makes me research more
about a sculpture to understand why the artist made it or if it was dedicated for someone. When I
was young, I used to join educational trips to museums. More often than not, I stay longer in the
areas where paintings and sculptures where shown. I often wonder why would someone create a
figure like that. Although there were descriptions in every display, it still pokes my curiosity and
by the end of the trip, I will find myself in the library (internet is not that accessible) reading
more stories or historical documents about the things that I saw. I would sometimes buy some
toy clays and try to recreate some of them (and oftentimes I was not successful 😊). Ever since I
was a kid, I am more interested with arts than any other subjects. I enjoyed pottery lesson, music
lesson, making handicrafts, paintings, sewing, and a lot more. My elementary days were
memorable because those were the days when I get to do art and play at the same time.

With music, this has also been a great part of my childhood. I remember our dad playing
vinyl records of The Beatles and Barry Manilow. As I grew older, my love for music has
expanded. I used to listen to classical music of Beethoven whenever I study my lessons because
it relaxes me. My interest in church songs started when I joined the children’s choir. I became
interested in other genres when I started high school. To be honest, that was the first time I
learned OPM. That was also the time when I learned how to play the guitar and become
interested in playing the piano. I can still remember the times when my bestfriend and I used to
make our own songs. I would write the lyrics and he’d place the music. I also enjoyed watching
shows such as Les Misérables and Pitch Perfect.

Overall arts, for me, is more than just a display or a music to listen to. They complete me.
They became my medicine when I am having anxiety attacks. They were inspiration, a food to
my soul, and a story worth to be told.