Birth anniversary of Carlos “Botong” Francisco
On the 109th Birth anniversary of National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco, the #NationalMuseumPh features this unique watercolor on paper work by the artist born #OnThisDay in 1912.
This rare and undated watercolor on paper by Botong is entitled “Lost in the Forest.” It depicts a young woman and a boy clinging to each other, seemingly disoriented, lost, and scared amid the tall and wild trees and creatures in the forest. In Philippine mythology, a forest spirit, or a “diwata” can be seen above the two, emanating light. Diwatas are believed to be guardians of natural creations such as forests and mountains. This painting is currently on display at the Pillars of Philippine Modernism exhibition in Gallery XVIII of the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Botong, as the artist is fondly called, is one of the most celebrated artists of Angono, Rizal. As he grew up in this small town in Rizal, east of Manila, his works are hugely influenced by his beloved hometown’s sceneries and lush landscapes. He studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines under National Artists Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino from 1930 until 1935. One semester short of graduation, Botong left formal schooling and worked as an apprentice for the Philippine Herald, the Tribune, and La Vanguardia.
In 1934, he, together with Galo Ocampo, was recruited by Victorio Edades to work on several commissions. The trio was later referred to as the Triumvirate in Filipino Modern Art, who worked in the modernist idiom. Edades then identified Botong as one of the Thirteen Moderns in 1938 to advocate for the acceptance of modern art in the country.
After the war, Botong taught Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas while working with Manuel Conde (1915-1985) as a film researcher, actor, and costume and set designer.
He was considered the foremost muralist who revised the forgotten mural art in the country, and remained its most distinguished practitioner for three decades. His notable works include “The Filipino Struggles Through History” and “The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines” from the collections of the City Government of Manila and the Philippine General Hospital, respectively. These works, impressive in both scale and significance to Philippine art and history, are displayed at the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Botong passed away in 1969 and was posthumously conferred the Order of National Artist for Painting in 1973.
Text by the NMP Fine Arts Division
Photo by Bengy Toda
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© National Museum of the Philippines (2021)
