Pinturas filipinas (1641-1828): Libros de Profesiones de San Agustín de Manila

Abstract

The art of painting in the Philippines was developed in close relation with the Christian faith. The missionary, specially the Augustinian friars, were the main promoters. This research presents the religious Filipino paintings that can be seen in the books of Religious Professions of San Agustin Convent, Manila, from 1641 to 1826. The first chapter is dedicated to SanAgustin Convent as Noviciate House. In the second, is presented what was the meaning of the religious profession, and the rite of the ceremony, according the Constitutions of the Order. The third chapter shows the two books of professions of San Agustin Convent: one from 1641 to 1728; the other from 1729 to 1931. The fourth chapter try to discover some of the authors of the paintings, among them: Fr. Marcelo de San Agustín, Fr. José de Villanueva, Fr.Agustín de Estrada, Fr. Ignacio de Mercado, Fr. Gaspar de San Agustín, Fr. Antonio Calderón and Fr. Antonio Stengel. The fifth chapter makes an analysis of the main decorative motives: Christ, the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary, the angels, different saints, Saint Augustine andAugustinian symbols, the sun, the moon, the stars and other elements from nature (birds, flowers, animals) or elements of the classical Roman, Egiptian or Chinese culture…The main chap-
ter is the catalogue of the paintings that can be found in the document of profession of 83 Augustinian friars, from 1641 to 1826. The study is completed with 70 illustrations related with the text.