VIA CRUCIS

The National Museum of the Philippines joins Christians around the world in observing the Holy Week, or “Semana Santa”. In preparation for the upcoming solemnities, we are featuring one of our exhibitions, “The Stations of the Cross” (also known as “Via Crucis”).

The Via Crucis exhibition, located in Gallery II of the National Museum of Fine Arts, features 14 oil paintings on wood panels made by an unknown Bohol master in 1830. These are among the oldest surviving series of artworks depicting the passion and sacrifice of Christ in the country. The identity of its creator and from which particular church these paintings originated are unknown. Despite this, their provenance from Bohol can be ascertained through the depictions of the iconic Chocolate Hills in the backgrounds of certain panels. Due to their age, quality, and size, these remarkable artworks may have been owned by the older and wealthier parishes of Bohol.

Via Crucis artworks conventionally depict the Passion of Christ in great detail; from Christ’s condemnation by Pontius Pilate to His entombment. This particular series, which is currently on loan from the collection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, is distinctly exceptional due to its portrayal of the events having occurred in Bohol. Furthermore, the Roman soldiers depicted in this series were rendered with hooked noses, which may have been influenced by 15th-century Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch. 

Via Crucis artworks are usually affixed on the interior walls of a church or chapel. However, it could also be found in cemeteries, hospital corridors, religious houses, or on mountainsides. During the Holy Week, especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, devout Roman Catholics would often stand before certain stations and pray with relevant passages from the scripture before each station to meditate on the passion of Christ. 

May the Holy Week be a reminder for all Christians to renew their faith and recollect God’s sacrifices and great love for all.

Text by Carolina Magdaleno/NMP CMVOD

Poster by Ken Carl Bañares/NMP CMVOD

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