2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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)
8. 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.
9. 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.
