TASK: Research two art works (in any field of art) and analyze its components
(subject, form and content) through comparison and contrast. The output of the
pair will be presented in class.
ARTWORK 1
Details:
● Title: “Bayanihan
● Artist: Fernando C. Amorsolo
● Date/Year: 1959
● Medium: Painting (Oil on canvas)
● Description
○ “Bayanihan” illustrates a
common Filipino rural scene
of communal cooperation.
The painting shows a group
of villagers carrying a nipa
hut on their shoulders. Nipa
hut is considered a
traditional house of
Filipinos. The term
“bayanihan” refers to the
Filipino tradition of helping
ARTWORK 2
Details:
● Title: España y Filipinas
● Artist: Juan Luna
● Date: 1884
● Medium: Painting (oil on canvas)
● Description:
○ In the allegorical picture
Espana y Filipinas, two
female figures stand in for
the colonial ties between
Spain and the Philippines.
Juan Luna was a skilled
academic painter, and this
work demonstrates his
command of 19th century
aesthetic principles. This
particular picture, one of
 one another in the spirit of
community and cooperation.
This artwork embodies the
Filipino value of “bayanihan”
and celebrates the strength
of unity and cooperation in
the face of adversity
Subject: The subjects of this painting are Subject: History, Philosophy,
the villagers, traditional nipa hut, and the Propaganda?, Allegory
depiction of them working together to
move the hut. This art piece embodies the
Filipinos heritage through the nipa hut
and the clothing of villagers. Meanwhile,
the act of working together demonstrates
the Filipinos’ tradition of helping one
another in the spirit of community.
Form: Painting (Oil on canvas)
Fernando Amorsolo is known for his
realistic style of painting wherein he uses
vivid colors and precise detailing in his
paintings. He particularly used a rich and
earthy color palette in not only the main
subjects of the painting, but also in
making the clouds fluffy with a warmth
that seems to be coming from the
sunlight. With this, he was able to
enhance the rural ambiance of the piece
several variations, was
created for Pedro Paterno, a
nationalist philosopher who
was a friend of Luna. The
two figures are comparably
equal in stature and dignity,
suggesting that the
composition is meant to
depict a beneficent and
idealized vision of the
colonial effort, even if Spain
is obviously the dominating
figure, shown as directing
the Philippines and pointing
to the path forward. The
piece reflects the reformist
ambitions of some Filipino
intellectuals of the 19th
century for a colonial
relationship with Spain that
was more just and less
exploitative.
Form: Painting (oil on canvas)
Luna created his style of allegorical
paintings while imitating the techniques of
the European masters of the day and
drawing influence from the Romantics.
Juan Luna is known for his bold,
passionate, yet classically balanced
brushstrokes, which frequently represent
people in graceful, theatrical stances.
giving it a positive energy.

Content:
The artwork emphasizes the concept of
“Bayanihan” as part of the country’s
culture. It captures the values of unity and
selflessness, especially in times of need.
It serves as a reminder of the Filipino
spirit and sense of “bayanihan”.
Therefore, it goes beyond a simple
depiction of a village scene.
Content:
The artwork of Juan Luna expresses
Luna’s longing for peace and prosperity
between the homeland (Philippines) and
its colonizer Spain. The allegorical
artwork uses two female figures to
represent the colonial relationship of the
two countries during the colonial period. It
shows Spain guiding the Philippines up
the stairs, regardless, the two figures are
similar in stature, beauty, and dignity.

Compare and contrast in sentences

In terms of artistic comparison“Bayanihan” is a painting of rural genre that is

considered realist and idyllic, along with other works of Amorsolo, who is quite known
for such depictions of rural life in the Philippines. The piece is characterized by vibrant
colors and attention to detail. While Espanya y Filipinas depicts a more serious and
symbolic subject. It showcases an academic and romantic style which was quite
known in Europe. Essentially, it is a representation of the human form, reflecting the
academic tradition at that time.

Ultimately, both art pieces were able to capture aspects of Filipino history and culture,
which makes them historically relevant. However, their subject and intent are
completely different, as “bayanihan” is more focused on portraying a fragment of the
Filipino culture that is attributed to their values of unity and selflessness. Meanwhile,
Espana y Filipinas is a powerful annotation by the artist himself regarding the
colonial and political relationship between the Philippines and Spain.

Another notable difference between the two is that Espana y Filipinas was made
during the colonial period of Spain in the 19th century, by which Juan Luna was also a
prominent figure in the propaganda movement. “Bayanihan” on the other hand, was
made in the 20th century after the Philippines finally had their independence from
colonial rule. This suggests that the art piece is somehow in celebration for the
Filipinos.
References:

Amorsolo, Fernando C. 2020. “Museum Collections: Photo Feature.” University of Santo

Tomas. https://www.ust.edu.ph/museum-collections-photo-feature/.

Davis, Will. 2021. “Prism of Difference.” Project Muse.

https://muse.jhu.edu/article/838723#:~:text=Bayanihan%20Fernando%20Amorso

lo%2C%20Oil%20on,the%20United%20States%20in%201946.

Sargentsalmon482. 2021. “CRITIQUE PAPER.docx - Activity #2 : BAYANIHAN The

painting shown depicts the Filipino bayanihan tradition that refers to helping out

one's neighbor as.” Course Hero.

https://www.coursehero.com/file/106236460/CRITIQUE-PAPERdocx/.

Aron. “Difference between Art and Arts.” Compare the Difference Between Similar

Terms, Differencebetween.com, 11 Aug. 2011,

www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-art-and-vs-arts/#:~:text=Actually

%20they%20are%20two%20different,difference%20between%20the%20two%20

words.

“Artworks of Juan Luna.” Salcedo Auctions, 22 Aug. 2022,

blog.salcedoauctions.com/juan-luna-artworks/.

“España y Filipinas (Spain and the Philippines), Juan Luna, the Philippines, 1884,

Oil on Canvas.” ROOTS,

www.roots.gov.sg/en/stories-landing/stories/the-singapore-story-through-60-object

s/colonial/espana-y-filipinas/story. Accessed 22 Oct. 2023.

Tate. “Allegory.” Tate,

www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/a/allegory#:~:text=Allegory%20in%20art%20is%20w

hen,love%2C%20virtue%2C%20justice%20etc. Accessed 22 Oct. 2023.