Patronage and Patriotism

Born in 1901, Lopez was part of a generation that lived under colonial rule and witnessed the declaration of independence in 1946. The surge of patriotism and hope for the future of the newly independent nation deeply influenced Lopez and his peers, shaping their values and the pursuits they undertook. In the words of the esteemed Filipino statesman Claro M. Recto, the museum's mission was to "develop in the Filipino youth a common sense of the past and arm them with a shared sense of destiny."

In celebration of its 65th anniversary, LML presents this exhibition featuring highlights from the visual arts collection that reveal how artists imagined the Philippines. An 18th century map and 19th century paintings recall the colonial enterprise while Juan Luna and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo’s aspriations are expressed in allegorical compositions. Fabian dela Rosa, Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Mauro Malang Santos’ notions of a Philippine identity rooted in the provincial converse with Vicente Manansala’s more modernist perspective. J. Elizalde Navarro’s flag painting stands as a reminder of the turbulent history has forged the nation. The exhibit is an invitation to engage with the LML collection and consider our own conception of Filipino identity.

Envisioned as a comprehensive study collection, LML goes beyond simply showcasing finished works; it delves into the artists' creative journeys. In its holdings are not only the celebrated oil paintings by academic masters Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo, but also a significant number of sketches and studies that offer insight into their process. These initial drawings reveal the spontaneous impulses, evolving ideas, and explorations that led to the final masterpieces. The transformation of the woman with a sword, from early sketches to final form in the Per Pacem et Libertatem, highlights the dynamic process of artistic development.