This article lists the visual artwork done by José Rizal, Filipino polymath and a national hero of the Philippines.
Background Jose Rizal, among many other things, was also a trained artist. He was trained at the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura in Manila and the training shop of Romualdo de Jesus in Santa Cruz, Manila. He entered medical school at the University of Santo Tomas, where his sketching and drawing was refined by his anatomy classes.
In Spain, he studied medicine and, literature and philosophy at the Universidad Central de Madrid and sculpture, drawing and art in San Carlos University.
He was among the illustrados, Filipino intelligentsia of the Spanish colonial period, where he would collaborate with other elite Filipino artisans Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo and Félix Pardo de Tavera. They influenced each other's creative output, with him sometimes posing as character references for paintings.
His work, celebrated by his countrymen are displayed in private collections and national institutions like the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila and the Rizal Shrine in Intramuros, however many are destroyed during the Liberation of Manila.
3-dimensional art Rizal is known to have created 56 sculptural works, 18 of which are still in existence, which range from different mediums such as wood, clay and plaster-of-paris.
Wood +Image Title Location Notes Link Untitled self-portraitPrivate Collection Early self-portrait in wood done in 1879. Sold at auction. Untitled Bas ReliefPrivate Collection Resurfaced work depicting an athletic man lifting a barbel. Sold at auctionSacred Heart of JesusAteneo de Manila University Carved at age 14 of Baticuling wood. The image left at Rizal's cell in Intramuros. Image of the Virgin Mary unknown "Partner" to the Sacred Heart of JesusJosephine Bracken (Bas Relief) unknown Bas Relief depicting Josephine Bracken, Rizal's Wife Bust of Francisco Mercado unknown Wooden bust of his father, Francisco Mercado
Clay, terracotta, plaster +Image Title Location Notes LinkThe Triumph of Science over DeathExhibited at the Dresden Museum of Modern Art, now at Rizal Shrine, IntramurosAllegorical work symbolizing science illuminating the world. Gift to Ferdinand Blumentritt.The Triumph of Death over Life Exhibited at the Dresden Museum of Modern Art, now at Rizal Shrine, IntramurosAllegorical work representing the death as a hooded skeleton embracing a woman. Gift to Ferdinand Blumentritt.Prometheus BoundExhibited at the Dresden Museum of Modern Art, now at Rizal Shrine, IntramurosRepresentation of Greek god Prometheus. Gift to Ferdinand Blumentritt, now at Rizal Shrine, Intramuros La venganza dela madre (A Mother's Revenge) National Museum of Fine Arts in ManilaKnown to be an allegorical representation of the condition of the Philippines in the Spanish colonial period. Declared National Cultural Treasure in 2008San Pablo el ErmitañoNational Museum of Fine Arts in ManilaA representation of St. Paul the First Hermit Oyang Dapitanaoriginals unknownA representation of a laundry woman. Bust of Ricardo Carcinero National Museum of Fine Arts in ManilaBust of Ricardo Carcinero, Spanish Politico Military Governor of Dapitan, Zamboanga del NorteJabali (Baboy Ramo)Private collectionDepicts wild boar, sold at auctionComposite StatuetteunknownA nude woman recliningModel head of a Dapitan girlunknownA young girl from DapitanBust of Father Jose GuerricounknownBust of Fr. Jose Guerrico, Jesuit teacher from Ateneo Municipal. Received a gold medal at the St. Louis (1904) Exposition San Francisco de PaduaunknownImage of Catholic saint, Anthony of PaduaJosephine SleepingPrivate collection of the descendants of Narcisa Rizal. Plaster model of his wife, Josephine Bracken. Resurfaced and was auctioned of by the Leon Gallery. Currently on display at the National Museum of Fine arts in Manila.
Others
Orate Frantes (let us pray brethren), wax figure Untitled chalk pipe of a girl (gift to his father) Biscuit molds, wood Wooden tops, wood
2-dimensional art This section lists notable works of 2-dimensional art by Rizal. As an artist, he created numerous sketches and doodles scattered throughout papers and sketchpads which he carried around in his travels. He was also an accomplished painter which used oil paints, lacquer and watercolors. Image Title Location Medium Notes LinkPortrait of Saturnina Rizal Rizal Shrine, Intramuros oil Painting depicting Rizal's eldest sister, Saturnina Rizal HidalgoDapitan church curtains Used to be at the Ateneo de Manila University oil Used as a backdrop for a senakulo, a holy week play in Dapitan Catholic Church. Destroyed during WWIIThe Turtle and the Monkey Ink on paperIllustrations on The Turtle and the Monkey, a children's book he created. Considered by many to be the first Filipino comic book.Untitled self-portrait unknown unknownA shirtless self-portrait of a young Rizal Untitled landscape unknown oil on mother-of-pearlGiven as a token to Doña Leonor Valenzuela and later passed on to Doña Margarita ValenzuelaSpanish coat-of-arms unknown watercolor Done during a fiesta of San Rafael in Calamba in 1867 Allegory on a pair of porcelain vases of the new year celebrationunknown oil on porcelain Christ crucified unknown crayon Immaculate concepcion unknown crayon Portrait of Morayta unknown crayon Depicts Miguel Morayta Cover of Noli me Tangere National Library of the Philippines Ink on paper The cover depicts symbols of the Filipino condition during the Spanish colonial period Vista de Gendarmenmarkt en Berlin National Museum of Fine arts of the Philippines Graphite on paper View of a public square in Berlin drawn up by Rizal during a visit. Imitaion of Japanese artunknownInk on paperSketch imitating Japanese artPortrait of a European GentlemanSalcedo Auction house Charcoal on paper Sketch of a male human head. Provenance comes from a descendant of Narcisa Mercado Rizal. Set to be auctioned off.
Other
Relief map of Mindanao, a landscaping feature in front of Dapitan Catholic church, declared National Cultural Treasure
References