Work of ‘obscure’ Angono artist now a national treasure
The century-old painting ‘Baptism of Christ’ by Juan ‘Tandang Juancho’ Senson is now being recognized as an important work not only in the so-called the ‘Art Capital of the Philippines’ but in the whole nation
NCCA and Angono Church officials unveiling the National Cultural Treasure marker.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF NCCA
In the heart of Angono, Rizal, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish Church of Saint Clement stands as a symbol of how faith and art can come together to shape culture, where local artists could use their talent by enhancing its interiors and museum with sacred art. One such artist is Juan “Tandang Juancho” Senson, a master painter whose name was once unknown beyond his hometown, which is now being called the “Art Capital of the Philippines.”
Born in 1846 in Hacienda de Angono, Senson quietly created artworks including Baptism of Christ, which was declared a National Cultural Treasure (NCT) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) 14 December 2024.
For decades, Senson’s contributions to culture and the arts were overshadowed by more prominent names. His works were primarily appreciated within Angono’s tight-knit community, but often mistaken as mere church decorations.
‘Baptism of Christ’ by Juan Senson.
An art historian who has extensively researched about Senson, James Owen G. Saguinsin wrote in his assessment report to the NCCA, dated 21 November 2024, that Senson, who died in 1927, “was a prominent master artist from Angono, whose prolific career spanned the Spanish era. Notably, he was commissioned to create religious imagery for the hacienda and surrounding suburbs of Angono. His seminal work, Vista Parcial del Pueblo de Angono y la Laguna Bay Distrito Morong (1880s), now part of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas collection, garnered recognition at the 1895 Exposition de Manila. This exhibition showcased Senson’s artistry alongside other esteemed Manila-based artists, including Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, Justiniano Asuncion, and Fabian de la Rosa.”
He further said, “Senson’s influence extended to subsequent generations of artists, particularly Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco, National Artist for visual arts (1973). According to Francisco himself, Senson’s works served as his seminal source of local color inspiration. Furthermore, Francisco collected several of Senson’s religious pieces, underscoring the significance of Senson’s artistic legacy.”
