Gallery XXIII, a permanent exhibit at the third floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts, pays homage to the works of National Artist for Painting Vicente S. Manansala (1910-1981). It contains 16 of his works from the National Fine Arts Collection and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) art collection.
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Beside the entrance is the Planting of the First Cross, an oil on canvas piece that combines the artist’s mastery of both traditional and modern painting techniques, as well as his unique style of “transparent cubism.”
This historical artwork of Manasala, commissioned by the national government in 1965, in celebration of 400 years of Philippine Christianity, vividly captures the birth of Christianity in the Philippines. It features Spanish soldiers erecting the country’s first cross (the same one that still stands in Cebu) in 1521 while Filipinos, with intricate tattoos (called pintados), stand with curiosity and interest.
The other oil on canvas paintings on display are Burial and Procession, both done in 1948; Man and Rooster (1950) and Birds in Flight (1965).
Manansala also painted on jute (Bayanihan, 1979, oil) and masonite (I Believe in God, 1948, oil) and Fish Vendor (1954, mixed media).
Also hanging on the walls are 3 ink on paper sketches done in 1959 (Maria Clara, Blumentritt and Celia) as well as one charcoal on paper (Abstract Nude – Paris, 1950), one tempera, watercolor and collage on paper (Study – Man and Industry, 1962) and three watercolor on paper paintings – Calesa (1951), Veronica (1957) and Bahay Kubo (1975).
Also on display, at the center of the gallery, is a bronze bust of Vicente Manansala (1998) done by the late National Artist and sculptor Napoleon Abueva.
The gallery also showcases the artist’s memorabilia from the Manansala Family Collection.
In a glass case are Manansala’s paintbrushes and palettes while at one corner of the gallery is his easel with a preliminary sketch.
Gallery XXIII: GSIS Northwest Hall, North Wing Galleries, Senate Floor, 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts (NMFA), Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000, Metro Manila. Tel: (632) 8527-1215 and (632) 8298-1100. Email: inquiry@nationalmuseum.gov.ph. Website: nationalmuseum.gov.ph. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM – 4PM. Admission is free. Coordinates: 14°35′13″N 120°58′52″E.