Golen, Sherilyn P.

“Painting Analysis”

“Camote Diggers” by Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco

For several decades, Carlos Francisco, popularly known as “Botong”, has been a

most respected mural painting artist from Angono, Rizal and best known for his

historical pieces. As stated by a restorer Helmuth Josef Zotter, Francisco’s art “is a

prime example of linear painting where lines and contours like cutouts.” Botong’s

infallible eye for commiseration, his lush tropical sense of color and staunch belief in the

traditional values, typified by the people of Angono, became the hallmark of his craft.

Camote diggers was Francisco’s unfinished painting before his sudden death in 1969

due to heart attack. It was sold for the amount of P23.4 million.

Francisco’s “Camote Diggers” is an important piece as it showcases a historical

and sentimental reason. The colors used by Botong Francisco as his background for the

painting was a combination of blue, white and red. A very visually striking combination,

which typically conveys anger and sadness. It also resembles the colors of the

Philippine flag, which implied to the sad republic of the country. An allusion to the

Filipino people who are experiencing poverty, then and now.

Rendering the scene in an open field, Francisco depicts a miserable old

woman, a young man, who is probably her son, some camotes, and a stick as his

subject in his painting. Tilting their heads downward, which signifies their exhaustion

and austerity. Wearing old dirty cloths and barefoot on the ground, which mirrored their

living condition. As we have noticed, the old woman is trying her best to dig the camote

out of the ground, with her both hands gripping the stick, and the boy holding the

This study source was downloaded by 100000816062322 from CourseHero.com on 05-31-2023 12:11:09 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/74652018/Painting-Analysisdocx/
 Golen, Sherilyn P.

camotes. For some reasons, it shows the iterate impact of manual labor, which as we all

know, a hard job. It also signifies the fret and sacrifice of a mother just to aid themselves

from hunger. You can feel their grief and the undergoing hardship by just one look on his

painting. We can also tell at first glance that this is a social issue. The poverty, scarcity,

and famine that people are experiencing before and up to these days. The painting

shows how people who were born poor need to work hard, dig the camote out of the soil

for them to have food. That people have no other choice but to endure their life in dirt.

This painting reminds me about the famous Filipino song “Dukha” by Aegis,

which talks about the people who do not have enough money to sustain their life.

People who are poor and not educated. People who only raise enough money for a day.

The phrase “Isang kahig, isang tuka. Ganyan kaming mga dukha”, resembles the

painting’s story. That if you don’t strive, you will get nothing, and it saddened me that

there are a lot of Filipino people who suffers from it.

“Eagle and Man” by Ang Kiukok

Ang Kiukok was a Filipino painter, popularly known for his expressive way of

presenting his ideas, with a distinct style of art that combined influences from cubism,

expressionism, and surrealism. He also like to choose a more complex or unsettling

subject matter, often portraying to wild dogs, crucifixions, and abstractly weeping

figures. When someone asked why he always choose such angry subjects, he

answered once, “Why not? Open your eyes. Look around you. Soo much anger, sorrow,

ugliness. And also, madness.” Critics note that Ang Kiukok’s style reflects his negative

perception of reality that full of misery, deprivation, brutality, and violence. The impact of

This study source was downloaded by 100000816062322 from CourseHero.com on 05-31-2023 12:11:09 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/74652018/Painting-Analysisdocx/
 Golen, Sherilyn P.

his artworks served as an eye-opener for people who are seeing it. And one of it is the

Eagle and Man.

The colors used by Ang Kiukok was a combination of red and black which implies

anger, suffering, and darkness. The subjects in his painting are the eagle and a man,

naked and handcuffed. It seems like the man has been going through a hard time.

Being imprisoned for a long period. He is trying to call for a help, holding his head high,

and letting the eagle abduct him. As I have noticed, the handcuffs attached to his both

hands had been cut off, which I think, it proves that he is now free from incarceration.

But as we can see also, the handcuffs are not totally removed from his hand, and I think

it signifies the pain, suffer, and hardship he’s undergoing. It shows that he has no power

to break it. Then, the eagle appears to push the man to have courage to look forward,

for him to reach his freedom. Forcing him to his boundaries of self-discovery and liberty.

It provides him with the strength and stamina to withstand his difficulties. It carries the

renewed life as it is aligned with the direction of dawn and rebirth. The eagle teaches

him how to accept an uplifted perspective while bravely speaking his truth.

This painting reminds me of the people who are experiencing injustice from the

government, society, and life. That despite of their circumstances, they should have the

courage to soar into new realities. We need to make a way to get rid of the chains. The

chains that holds us from freeing ourselves. We should not let others control and tell us

of what we can do. It is our time to go and create a new beginning

This study source was downloaded by 100000816062322 from CourseHero.com on 05-31-2023 12:11:09 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/74652018/Painting-Analysisdocx/
 Golen, Sherilyn P.

“Prayers before Meals” by Vincente Manansala

Vicente Manansala was a Filipino artist from Macabebe, Pampanga. Manansala

was popularly known for creating transparent cubism, masterfully superimposing the

delicate tones, shapes, and patterns of figures and setting. He also dealt with the issues

of sexuality, deprivation, and culture through his depictions of contemporary Filipino life.

His works includes “Madonna of the Slums”, “The bird seller”, “Luksong-Tinik”,

“Jeepneys”, which illustrates various Filipino Lifestyles.

The colors used in the painting “Prayer Before Meals” is a combination of yellow,

red, brown, and white which signifies knowledge, protection, and peace. As we have

noticed, Manansala chose a family as his subject. Rendering the scene in a small dining

area, wearing plain clothes, with a cup, corn, cat, lamp, and different types of utensils in

the background, shows a simple family with a simple life. As I have noticed, they are

peacefully bowing their heads and eyes closed as a symbol of appreciation and payer to

their prepared food. A custom of grace of every family before beginning their meal. The

food served on the table are fishes and rice, just enough to feed the entire family. They

are expressing their gratitude to our great lord for what has given to them because they

believe that grace and thanksgiving grants a blessing which purifies the meal. The

painting also portrays a family who has a major trust in God. Although they are not

abundant with material wealth, they accorded each other with love and unity, and that

cannot replace any possession others have.

Prayer strengthens the communication line of every family. The power of a

family’s prayer is one of the foundations which holds them as one. A lot of you must

have heard about the phrase “A family that prays together, stay together.” Prayer

This study source was downloaded by 100000816062322 from CourseHero.com on 05-31-2023 12:11:09 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/74652018/Painting-Analysisdocx/
 Golen, Sherilyn P.

before meal means we are honoring our God. Remembering who provides for us, bless

us, and guides us to every circumstance we’re in. To praise and thank our God whom all

blessing flow. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is

received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy

4:4-5). This painting shows us to always put the God to life and everything will be

alright.

REFERENCES

Nakpil, L. G. (2019, June 23). Botong Franciscos Camote Diggers to go to national

institution. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-

life/2019/06/23/1928881/botong-franciscos-camote-diggers-go-national-institution

Order of National Artists: Carlos "Botong" Francisco. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2020, from

https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-

philippines/carlos-botong-francisco/?

fbclid=IwAR3N_LUW4MkwCZMVsvyKm97vyPj5A6Tnzordr891v3cyTVxG9QsrCJrc7_o

Phillips, T. (n.d.). Prior Lake, MN - Dog Training Classes. Retrieved May 4, 2020, from

http://www.pure-spirit.com/more-animal-symbolism/629-eagle-symbolism?

fbclid=IwAR0ono4BLMzynUlDVYZhPJBZo1nQTGalwE-

0wMeGaS3MjoxhmO9gs8wdQ1Q

Prayer before a Meal. (2018, January 23). Retrieved from

https://betweentwocities.com/2018/01/23/prayer-before-a-meal/

Ang Kiukok. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.artnet.com/artists/ang-kiukok/

This study source was downloaded by 100000816062322 from CourseHero.com on 05-31-2023 12:11:09 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/74652018/Painting-Analysisdocx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)