Carlos Modesto "Botong" Villaluz Francisco (November 4, 1912 – March 31, 1969) was a Filipino muralist from Angono, Rizal.

Early life

Francisco was a most distinguished practitioner of mural painting for many decades and best known for his historical pieces. He was one of the first Filipino modernists along with

Galo Ocampo Galo B. Ocampo (October 16, 1913 – September 12, 1985) was a Philippine artist. He was also the first Filipino to study heraldry and was a member of the International Institute of Genealogy and Heraldry in Madrid. Ocampo was born in Santa Rit ...

and

Victorio C. Edades Victorio Candido Edades (December 23, 1895 – March 7, 1985) was a Filipino painter. He led the revolutionary Thirteen Moderns, who engaged their classical compatriots in heated debate over the nature and function of art. He was named a Nati ...

who broke away from Fernando Amorsolo's romanticism of Philippine scenes. According to restorer Helmuth Josef Zotter, Francisco's art "is a prime example of linear painting where lines and contours appear like cutouts."Alex Y. Vergara (July 24, 2000) "How to Save a Botong Francisco," ''Philippine Daily Inquirer'

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Later career

Francisco served as the production designer for the Noli Me Tángere (1961 film), 1961 film adaptation of

José Rizal José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is considered the national he ...

's '' Noli Me Tángere''. He was responsible for the discovery of the now famous Angono Petroglyphs in 1965. He was also involved in Costume Design in Philippine cinema. His great works include portrayals of the Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa, The Martyrdom of

Rizal Rizal, officially the Province of Rizal ( fil, Lalawigan ng Rizal), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Its capital is the city of Antipolo. It is about east of Manila. The p ...

, Bayanihan, Magpupukot, Fiesta, Bayanihan sa Bukid, Sandugo, Portrait of Purita, The Invasion of Limahong, Serenade, and Muslim Betrothal. Some of his murals have suffered big damage over the years. The "Pageant of Commerce" emerged from several years of restoration in 2000. His murals, The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines, was restored for the 3rd time in 2007 and is currently residing in the National Art Gallery of the Philippines. A high-quality replica of the mural is also located at its previous location at the lobby of the Philippine General Hospital.Allison Lopez (August 30, 2007
"Art docs work on ‘dying’ Botong murals in PGH,"
''Inquirer'' Nikki Francisco (September 26, 2017
"10 Must-See Masterpieces at the National Museum of the Philippines"
''Spot.ph'' Francisco's last work is the '' Camote Diggers'' which was left unfinished.

Death

Botong died on March 31, 1969, in Angono, Rizal, Philippines.

Gallery

File:FvfMuseum6691 21.JPG, ''First Mass at Limasawa'' File:FvrMuseuj6650 32.JPG, '' The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines''

References

1912 births 1969 deaths 20th-century Filipino painters Burials at the Libingan ng mga Bayani Artists from Rizal Filipino portrait painters Modern artists Muralists National Artists of the Philippines {{Philippines-painter-stub