I’m no church goer and I often cringe at the extravagance of Catholic churches which, I feel, is too ironic considering the simple life that Jesus lived. But the last time we were at the Manila Cathedral, I was still awed by the beauty of the reliefs on the front doors. And I was all prepared to rave thinking they were done by a Filipino artist. But they weren’t.
According to the Traveler on Foot, the reliefs were executed in eight bronze panels by Italian sculptors Alessandro Monteleone and Francesco Nagni.
I wonder how much they cost.
Italian sculptures pala yon mga yon? Akala ko galing Paete, Laguna. Sayang ano? Kasi ang dami natin magaling na local artists that we could commission to do these artworks kaya lang… Anyways, maganda.
The sculptures on the cathedral doors are really superlative! And of course, ang galing, as usual ng iyong artistic photography, Connie. Excellent!
Bingbong, I also thought they were by Filipino artists. I felt disappointed because the Manila Cathedral is an important part of the history of Inramuros.
Crisma, and I had such a hard time capturing the right colors — I thought I was photographing wood when, in fact, they were bronze pala.
I think those reconstructed the Manila Cathedral wanted to bring Vatican to Intramuros Bingbong. I agree with Connie, it would have been the best if Filipino sculptors from Betis, Bohol or Paete were commissioned to do the artwork on the massive doors.
It is still good to know that the present structure designed is by Filipino architect Fernando Ocampo and the rose stained-glass window above the main portal is by artist Galo Ocampo. Galo Ocampo is the same artist who did the opulent stained-glass windows at Santo Domingo Church in QC and some heraldic symbols used in different government offices and even our local coins I think.
Connie I’ve linked House on Hill to my site. Appreciate crediting Traveler on Foot on this post.
Thank you too. Love the research you do on your site.
Wow! Thank you for all that information.
Galing naman, we all get educated with art without braving the heavy traffic and paying the museum entrance fee.
Thanks Connie and Traveller on Foot!
The best way to learn about architecture history is by looking at old churches and other places of worship.
if my review notes last year serves me right, during the middle ages and early renaissance periods, the money of the people went to the construction of tall, imposing and grand churches. This is because of the belief that the higher a church’s tower is, the nearer the townsfolk are to god.
Some church leaders then were also corrupt and they wanted their churches to look opulent to the smallest detail.