Post on 24-Jun-2015
RELIGIOUS STATUES (SANTOS)Laririt, Kaye Anne M.
4 IND-1
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Spanish colonial period art forms.• Sculpture of saints replaced the anito
carvings during the 17th century.• The earliest known sculptor was Juan de los
Santos from San Pablo, Laguna.• Carvers were anonymous artisans before the
19th century, as this collection of artwork was
originally meant for pious purposes, rather than aesthetic.
• Paete, Laguna produced the finest santo carvers.
ARTISTIC STRUCTURE• Conceived as first and
foremost as an instrument that could effect miracles.• Figures are shown frontally and were
highly stylized.• Elaborate and the materials used
ranges from wood, ivory to metal (iron) or a combination of materials.
ARTISTIC STRUCTURE• The produced images were a
special blending of
Spanish, Chinese and Filipino characteristics.• Some pieces show some dominant traces of Chinese features, or Filipino pre-Hispanic.
EXAMPLES• Clockwise from upper left
corner: an 18th century wooden retablo/altar as the centerpiece of Luis Ma. Araneta’s ivory collection at the Sala Recibidor; the original retablo/altar of the San Agustin Church made in 1650 by Juan de los Santos now displayed at the old sacristy; the present retablo/main altar of the San Agustin Church, and; the retablo/main altar of the Aranetas’ Pagrel Collection at the sala profundis of the old refectory.
DEVELOPMENT• Santos started to adorn churches’
altars and natives’ homes during
the 17th century. It replaced the anito carvings.
• Higher artistic standards were demanded from the sculptors during the mid-19th century due to the opening of the country to international trade.
DEVELOPMENT• Tipos del pais sculptures became
more in demand during the second half of the 19th century.
• The Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture, Napoleon Abueva:–Floating Sculpture Baby Moses
(1951) (Wood)
–Kiss of Judas (1955) (Wood)
–The Transfiguration (1979) (Welded Brass)
CURRENT STATE• 17th century statues became
permanent exhibits and adornments in altars in churches.– Example:
• An 18th century statue ‘Virgin of the Lost Child’ became a permanent exhibit in the hall of the Pagrel collection at the San Agustin Church museum, Intramuros, Manila.
CURRENT STATE• Many Santos reproductions are being
sold as antique at online auctions especially those coming from abroad.
• Antique and Vintage Santos only increase in value as time goes by, due in large part
to the difficulty in obtaining them and
because they are a disappearing and irreplaceable commodity.
END.