CARLOS "BOTONG" FRANCISCO (1914 - 1969)
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In 1914, Carlos “Botong” Francisco was born to Felipe Francisco and Maria Villaluz of Angono, Rizal. Francisco studied at the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts. Before the war, he did illustrations for the Tribune and La Vanguardia, and later, with Victorio Edades and Fermin Sanchez painted sets for the Manila Grand Opera House, and the Clover Theater. After WWII, Francisco taught at the University of Santo Tomas, simultaneously working in filmmaking with Miguel Conde, as the scriptwriter and costume designer.
Francisco was also a member of the “Thirteen Moderns,” a group formed in 1938. He belonged to the first generation of Philippine modernists, with Edades and Galo B. Ocampo, who pioneered the directional shift of Philippine art from the Amorsolo school to the emerging Modern art movement.
Francisco, along with Edades and Ocampo were commissioned to do a number of murals that featured stylized figures in flowing, serpentine lines. Through these works, the artists contributed towards developing a Filipino imagery, drawing inspiration from the the customs and traditions of the Philippine people, as well as from familiar environments. Francisco employed bold folk colors, rhythmic lines, and decorative patterns. He evoked the communal life of Philippine gatherings and celebrations. His images were drawn from mythology, history, legend, and from contemporary Philippine village life.
Francisco created many murals throughout his career. Although his mural for the 1953 International Fair, held in Manila, of the “Legendary Origin of the Filipino” was received poorly by locals and promptly discarded after the fair, was revered and recognized internationally, and subsequently Antonio Villegas, the mayor of Manilla, commissioned a mural, “Filipino Struggles Through History” to be painted on Bulwagang Katipunan of the Manila City Hall. Francisco also did the murals on the Life and Miracles of St Dominic for Santo Domingo Church, 1954; and the Stations of the Cross for Far Eastern University, 1956. He worked with Victorio Edades and Galo B. Ocampo on the mural of Rising Philippines for the Capitol Theater and murals for the Golden Gate Exposition, the State Theater, the houses of Pres Manuel Quezon, Ernesto Rufino, and Vicente Rufino.
Francisco was recognized multiple times for achievement in visual art, including his painting “Kaingin” (Swidden), winning first prize in the inaugural national exhibition of the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) held at the National Museum in 1948. He also received the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award from the City of Manila in 1964 and was proclaimed National Artist in Painting in 1973.
Some Affiliated Schools, Galleries and Museums:
University of the Philippines
University of Santo Tomas
UST Museum Collection
National Museum of the Philippines Collection
Manila City Hall
Central Bank of the Philippines Collection
United Coconut Planters Bank Collection
Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Collection
Dr. Solita Camara Besa Collection
Marites Pineda Collection
Esther Vibal Collection
Mr. and Mrs. Paulino Que Collection
Leandro Locsion Collection
Edilberto Bravo Collection
Charito Planas Collection
Alejandro Roces Collection
Awards and Honors:
1st prize at The Exhibition of the Art Association of the Philippines, National Museum, 1948
Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award (Stalwart of Art and Culture), 1964
Philippine National Artist, 1973
Selected Works:
Portrait of Purita, 1932
The Invasion of Limahong,
Serenade, 1957
Muslim Betrothal, 1958
Blood Compact, 1964
First Mass at Limasawa
The Martyrdom of Rizal
Bayanihan, 1960
Magpupukot, 1957
Fiesta
Bayanihan sa Bukid
Sandugo
Francisco was also a member of the “Thirteen Moderns,” a group formed in 1938. He belonged to the first generation of Philippine modernists, with Edades and Galo B. Ocampo, who pioneered the directional shift of Philippine art from the Amorsolo school to the emerging Modern art movement.
Francisco, along with Edades and Ocampo were commissioned to do a number of murals that featured stylized figures in flowing, serpentine lines. Through these works, the artists contributed towards developing a Filipino imagery, drawing inspiration from the the customs and traditions of the Philippine people, as well as from familiar environments. Francisco employed bold folk colors, rhythmic lines, and decorative patterns. He evoked the communal life of Philippine gatherings and celebrations. His images were drawn from mythology, history, legend, and from contemporary Philippine village life.
Francisco created many murals throughout his career. Although his mural for the 1953 International Fair, held in Manila, of the “Legendary Origin of the Filipino” was received poorly by locals and promptly discarded after the fair, was revered and recognized internationally, and subsequently Antonio Villegas, the mayor of Manilla, commissioned a mural, “Filipino Struggles Through History” to be painted on Bulwagang Katipunan of the Manila City Hall. Francisco also did the murals on the Life and Miracles of St Dominic for Santo Domingo Church, 1954; and the Stations of the Cross for Far Eastern University, 1956. He worked with Victorio Edades and Galo B. Ocampo on the mural of Rising Philippines for the Capitol Theater and murals for the Golden Gate Exposition, the State Theater, the houses of Pres Manuel Quezon, Ernesto Rufino, and Vicente Rufino.
Francisco was recognized multiple times for achievement in visual art, including his painting “Kaingin” (Swidden), winning first prize in the inaugural national exhibition of the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) held at the National Museum in 1948. He also received the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award from the City of Manila in 1964 and was proclaimed National Artist in Painting in 1973.
Some Affiliated Schools, Galleries and Museums:
University of the Philippines
University of Santo Tomas
UST Museum Collection
National Museum of the Philippines Collection
Manila City Hall
Central Bank of the Philippines Collection
United Coconut Planters Bank Collection
Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Collection
Dr. Solita Camara Besa Collection
Marites Pineda Collection
Esther Vibal Collection
Mr. and Mrs. Paulino Que Collection
Leandro Locsion Collection
Edilberto Bravo Collection
Charito Planas Collection
Alejandro Roces Collection
Awards and Honors:
1st prize at The Exhibition of the Art Association of the Philippines, National Museum, 1948
Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award (Stalwart of Art and Culture), 1964
Philippine National Artist, 1973
Selected Works:
Portrait of Purita, 1932
The Invasion of Limahong,
Serenade, 1957
Muslim Betrothal, 1958
Blood Compact, 1964
First Mass at Limasawa
The Martyrdom of Rizal
Bayanihan, 1960
Magpupukot, 1957
Fiesta
Bayanihan sa Bukid
Sandugo
