Entry 079

Sculpture 06: National Arts Gallery Pediment

Did you ever notice the sculptures at the pediment of the National Museum’s main building (National Arts Gallery)? The façade is reminiscent of the classical Greek temples. Naturally some architectural elements prominent in old Greek temples are copied into the neoclassical structures. And such are the reliefs at the pediment. I am not sure who the sculptor was but I assume it to be Otto Fischer-Credo. He was a German sculptor who worked with architect Juan Arellano on several projects in the 1920s. (You can read Lou Gopal’s blog Manila Nostalgia about his “discovery” of Fischer-Credo.)

Any onlookers would have strained their eyes looking at the pediment reliefs. Their relative position at the topmost part of the building would render them inconspicuous at close range and unnoticeable from afar. So the best way to appreciate them is by using binoculars. I photographed them using zoom lens. I can say I was given a glimpse of such a marvelous manifestation of Philippine neoclassical high art. Here are the figures found at the east pediment.

The central figure, most likely the personification of Motherland, wears a terno and holds a sceptre and an orb; on her sides are a male warrior with a sword and a young maiden. Other figures at the edge of the pediment are most likely from Greek mythology. The one capped with a winged helmet probably is Hermes.

The west pediment, which is seen from Padre Burgos Avenue, has almost the same figures but of slight different visages.

The composition of figures in the west pediment are the same with those in the east pediment. However, nuances exist as in the star-tipped sceptre and the faces of the three central figures.

Noticeably, Motherland doesn’t hold an orb.

Greek influence is evident.

Hermes and a muscle-toned woman in recline.