Philippine Art History is a fascinating study of the country’s artistic tradition that stretches back to prehistoric times. It includes the works of renowned artists from all over the world, including those from the Philippines. The Philippine art history has been divided into four different periods.
Pre-Colonial Period
The Pre-Colonial period in Philippine art history dates back to approximately 10th century AD. This period is marked by the presence of various indigenous cultures such as Tagalog, Visayan and other Austronesian groups who had their own distinct styles of art and architecture. These include carvings, sculptures, paintings, and other forms of artwork that depict the culture and lifestyle of pre-colonial Filipinos.
Spanish Colonial Period
The Spanish Colonial period began in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines and claimed it for Spain. During this time, Spanish influences began to take hold with the introduction of Christianity and Spanish institutions such as churches and schools.
This period saw a huge influx of European art styles, which included painting and sculpture in both religious and secular forms. These works often depicted themes from Christianity or colonial life in the Philippines.
American Colonial Period
The American Colonial period began in 1898 when Spain ceded control of the Philippines to the United States as part of a treaty between Spain and America after their war with each other. This period saw an increasing change in Philippine art due to influences from American artists, who brought with them techniques such as oil painting and watercolor painting that had been gaining ground in Europe but were relatively unknown in Asia at the time. American artists also started to create works depicting Filipino life under American rule, which helped give rise to a new sense of nationalism among Filipinos during this era.
Contemporary Period
The Contemporary period is marked by an increased awareness of art as an integral part of Filipino culture and identity. This era saw a surge in interest for modernist approaches to art such as abstract expressionism, minimalism, pop art, etc., which allowed Filipino artists to express their ideas more freely than before. Today’s contemporary Philippine art scene continues to be vibrant with many different styles being practiced by local artists.
Conclusion:
Philippine Art History is an expansive field that encompasses centuries worth of artistic expression from various cultures around the world including pre-colonial Indigenous peoples, Spanish Colonials, Americans Colonials up until present day contemporary Filipino Artists.