NATIONAL
MUSEUM OF FINE
ARTS
Jingco, Xandra Ylaine R.
HISTORY
The National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo ng bayaning Pinuno ng
Pilipinas) is a museum in Manila, Philippines. The museum
In 1974, the museum was renamed as
houses the largest collection of Philippine art in the country and
Museo de las Américas (Museum of
one of the largest collections in Asia. It was founded on October
Americas). In 1992 it was renamed again
25, 1908 as part of the Philippine Centennial Exposition by the
as Museo de las Artes y Costumbres
American-Philippine Historical Association.
Populares (Museum of Arts and Folklore).
The name "National Museum of Fine
It was designed by Ralph Harrington Doane, Antonio Mañalac
Arts" was reinstated in 1997.
Toledo and Juan M. Arellano with funds donated by the American
colonial government and private citizens. Its galleries display a
Considered as one of the largest
variety of art from around Asia that includes works by national
museums in the Philippines, the museum
artists such as Juan Luna, Ramon Castilla, Juan Luna, Félix
houses over 80,000 collections to date.
Resurrección Hidalgo and Juan Luna.
The museum houses a collection that
includes artworks from ancient times to
In 1936, it was renamed Museum of Philippine Art. In 1976 it was
the present, as well as ethnographic and
renamed again to Museo ng Bayaning Pinuno ng Pilipinas
archaeological artifacts.
(Museum of Filipino Heroes). In 1989, it was then renamed to
Museo ng Maynila (Museum of Manila).
The NMOFA's origins can be traced to 1887 when it was
established as a government agency under the Department of
Education. However, it was not until 1889 when it became part of
the newly created Department of Education and Information
(now Department of Education).
In 1897, NMOFA began building its first permanent home on
Padre Burgos Street in Intramuros, Manila. It was only after
World War II that the museum moved out from its original
location and into its current building located at the corner of Old Legislative Building
Legarda Avenue and Quintin Paredes Street in Ermita, Manila.
It is the first and oldest art museum in Southeast Asia. The museum was established by virtue of Republic Act No.
7961 on August 15, 1932 as a result of an agreement between the government and private citizens to establish a
national art museum for Filipinos. The law was passed by the Philippine Legislature in 1932 and signed into law by
President Manuel L. Quezon on September 16, 1932. The museum opened its doors on October 1, 1933 with
Pablo Picasso's painting "Guernica" as its first exhibit.
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CONSTRUCTION
METHOD
The construction method of the National Museum of
Fine Arts in the Philippines is a mixture of traditional
and contemporary materials. On one hand, it uses
materials like wood, bamboo and iron as its main
building materials. On the other hand, it also uses
glass, steel and concrete in its architecture. The
NMA has a concrete frame structure with
continuous steel columns and cross-bracing that
form a grid pattern throughout the building. This
grid system allowed for horizontal bracing that
provided additional stiffness to the structure and
helped to eliminate vibration from earthquakes or
The construction method adopted for this project is
other natural disasters such as typhoons or storms
Filipino at its core. This method involves using local
at sea level.
materials such as wood and stone combined with
other imported materials such as concrete, steel
The method used by this museum is very unique
and glass. Pilipino construction uses designs that
because it combines both modern and traditional
are familiar to Filipinos especially those who have
materials in its design. The building, built on top of a
lived in their ancestral homes which include bamboo
hill, is an example of the Philippine vernacular
structures made from bamboo poles or beams
architecture. It is an architectural masterpiece that
covered with leaves or grasses and adobe structures
has earned the title as one of the most beautiful
made from clay bricks mixed with water then
buildings in Asia.
molded into shape.
The building is made up of three parts: an outer
Another method of the National Museum of Fine
shell that serves as a protective layer for the interior
Arts in the Philippines also involves "embankment
structure; an inner shell where people can go inside;
and curtain walling." In this type of construction, a
and a core structure that holds up both shells
structure is built up from layers. Between each layer,
together. This core structure is made up of concrete
there is a space that provides ventilation for air
columns that support all parts of this building
circulation and light transmission. The topmost layer
including walls and ceilings.
forms the roof or ceiling.
The museum was built on top of a water table, which
required a special drainage system. The drainage
network consisted of six piping systems that
connected with the ground water table. A pump
house was also constructed to ensure that the
system could be powered during rainy days. As part
of its design, the museum's façade was made up of
four floors: three above ground levels and one
below ground level.
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BUILDING USE
Historically, the NMA building was built during
the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines by
forced laborers from Japan. It served as an
army barracks for military personnel during
World War II. After World War II ended and the
American Military Government took over
control of the Philippines in 1945, it was
converted into an art gallery for American
soldiers stationed there. In 1965 it became the
home base for President Ferdinand Marcos'
collection of paintings and other objects from
around the world that he purchased on his
own dime since he was not allowed to travel
outside Manila due to his political opposition at
that time against Marcos's Presidential Family
during Martial Law era in our country until
February 1986 when Marcos resigned
peacefully from office under international
pressure.
The building of the National Museum of Fine
Arts in the Philippines is a landmark building
that reflects the culture and history of our
country. It is also a symbol of our aspirations as
Filipinos.
In present day, the Museum houses a large collection of Philippine artworks which includes paintings,
sculptures, folk art and decorative arts from all over the country. These works are displayed in galleries that
are divided into three wings: East Wing, West Wing and South Wing. Each wing has its own theme: East
Wing focuses on religious artworks; West Wing exhibits works related to nature; while South Wing
showcases the works from other parts of the Philippines beyond Luzon (including Visayas).
The purpose of the building of the National Museum of Fine Arts in the Philippines is to conserve,
document and exhibit Philippine art, and promote its study. To preserve and display artworks, artifacts and
collections that are representative of Filipino history, culture and traditions are also among its main
purpose.
Established in 1991 by virtue of Republic Act No. 7092 or "An Act Establishing The National Museum Of
Fine Arts", with a mandate to collect, preserve and exhibit all kinds of works of art, both contemporary and
traditional; maintain a library; promote research and study on Philippine art; undertake special projects
related to its objectives.
The museum also aims to educate the public about Philippine art in general. In addition to this, it serves as
a repository for artworks that were donated by private individuals and organizations. It also serves as a
venue for cultural events such as concerts and plays, among others.
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The museum is located on a spacious lot which was formerly a residence of the Spanish Governor-General.
The design, by architect Juan Arevalo, was inspired by the Spanish Colonial style of architecture with its
rounded arches and columns. The main façade is constructed of reinforced concrete, while the wings are
made of reinforced steel-reinforced concrete. It has an overall height of 35 meters (115 feet) and a total floor
area of 3,000 square meters (30,000 square feet).
The building is constructed around a central patio that contains two fountains, one at each end and two large
basins at each side. The central patio is surrounded by galleries which house the permanent exhibition halls on
either side. There are also five temporary exhibition halls which can be used for special exhibitions or
temporary events.
The building has four levels - ground floor, basement level, mezzanine level and 1st floor with an additional
mezzanine above this level which houses administrative offices and storage areas for artworks. There are also
four underground parking levels where visitors can park their vehicles during museum hours before going
inside to view exhibits or attend.
The architectural qualities of the National Museum of Fine Arts in the Philippines are quite unique. It has an
unusual layout that clearly demonstrates its dual identity as a museum and as a school for art education. Its
most famous feature is its glass dome that allows natural light to enter from above. The museum's main
entrance hall, which faces Roxas Boulevard, is called the "Hall of Indian Philosophy" because it contains an
exhibition of artifacts from ancient India, including bronzes and paintings by Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906),
considered to be one of India's greatest artists.
Another distinctive feature of this building is its central rotunda
that houses four bronze sculptures representing different stages
of culture: primitive man, animal worshipers, hunters and
fishermen and farmers with plows. The rotunda also has two
circular staircases leading up to galleries above which are five
paintings by Juan Luna (1893-1956).
Major architectural qualities of the National Museum of Fine Arts include; the façade that is made up of two
wings connected by an archway that symbolizes peace. This design element gives visitors a sense of movement
as they enter the building and provides a space for exhibitions inside, the interior design which is based on
three themes (art history, Philippine culture and natural sciences). This allows visitors to focus on specific topics
while they view artworks throughout the building, and exhibitions that can be viewed through
large windows with views onto gardens,
which adds to the feeling of being
outdoors even though visitors are
indoors at all times (this is also an
important aspect in terms of
sustainability).
ARCHITECTURAL
QUALITIES
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The museum's design critic proposes a
number of modifications to the building's
structure and design that would enhance its
DESIGN CRITIC OF
functionality as both a museum and an THE STRUCTURE
architectural structure. In the past, the
museum's has been criticized because it
lacks a strong identity and is not well- On the other hand, the trabeated architectural interiors
integrated into the surrounding are dictates of proportion, symmetry, and order, with
environment. It has also been described as elegant neoclassical entablature that is enhanced by the
"one of the most beautiful museums in Asia addition of regional themes. The Tampinco family's
but one that is difficult to approach.” This is sculptures, created by Isabelo and his sons Angel and
due to the reasoning that it is located at the Vidal, are on display throughout the interiors,
farthest end of Roxas Boulevard. illuminating Juan Arellano's architectural vision. The
decoration displays the Tampincos' exceptional artistic
The National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila, talent, which is distinguished by the use of indigenous
Philippines is an excellent building with too components.
much wasted space. If built correctly, it could
be a national treasure. The National Museum of Fine Arts is a testimony of the
rich culture, tradition, history, and architecture of the
The National Museum of Fine Arts in the Philippines. From the grandeur exteriors throughout the
Philippines has a very interesting design and ornamental interiors, and even the exhibitions, this
structure. The building is composed of two structure has always been and will always remain
separate parts, the first part being a more relevant from this day and through generations to
traditional design with a neoclassical come.
structure and two massive towers on each
side of it. The second part of the building is
much more modern and futuristic looking
with its large glass windows and curved roof.
The main problem I see with this museum is
that there are too many different styles in
one building. The first part is more traditional
in nature while the second part is much
more modern and futuristic looking. This
makes it hard for visitors to appreciate all
aspects of art since they cannot see what's
going on inside one section at any given time
due to the separation between them.
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REFERENCES
Baleguer, B. B. (n.d.). Architectural ornamentation - national museum of fine arts
(formerly the Old Legislative Building - Philippines). yodisphere.com. Retrieved
October 19, 2022, from https://www.yodisphere.com/2021/02/National-Museum-
Fine-Arts-Philippines.html
National museum exterior. (n.d.). photograph, manila.
National Museum of Fine Arts, Manila. Sothebys.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19,
2022, from https://www.sothebys.com/en/museums/national-museum-of-fine-arts-
1
National Museum of Fine Arts. National Museum. (2021, September 17). Retrieved
October 19, 2022, from https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-
museums/national-museum-of-fine-arts/
Neil. (2022, July 26). Museums in the Philippines: Looking forward post-pandemic.
BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from
https://www.bworldonline.com/special-reports/2022/07/27/463269/museums-in-
the-philippines-looking-forward-post-pandemic/
, F. L. S., , E. L. S., , R. E. D. M. T., , B., Fashion, Festivals, C. and, Entertainment, &
Celebrities. (2016, October 30). National Museum of Fine Arts: A rebirth.
Lifestyle.INQ. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/242449/national-museum-of-fine-arts-a-rebirth/
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