Provenance: Private Collection, Bulacan

ABOUT THE WORK

Today, the Boxer Codex series painted in 1590 are considered to be the earliest paintings of the Philippines. However, if University of the Philippines Professor-historian Jaime B. Veneracion is correct, the painting of the first town hall of the Province of Bulacan can be dated to 1584, or earlier than the much celebrated and recorded Boxer Codex. The Province of Bulacan was established during the late 16th century, after several towns were integrated into one municipal jurisdiction. Long before the Spaniards came, there were many native settlements in what is now known as Bulacan. These settlements were later utilized by the Spaniards to build the first towns, such as Calumpit (founded in 1572), Meycawayan (1576), Bulacan (1578), Malolos (1580), Hagonoy (1581) and Bocaue (1582); and when the province was formally established, a casa real or town hall was ordered to be built. Jaime Veneracion’s ‘Kasaysayan ng Bulakan’ (Cologne, Germany: 1986, pages 76-77) gives a clear account of when and how the first town hall was constructed. Governor General Santiago de Vera mandated the Alcalde Mayor, or Provincial Governor, to harness the labor force from indigenous natives in order to erect parish churches and the town hall. Appendix I of Cedulario de Manila, published by the National Archives (Manila: 1971) indicates the term of Santiago de Vera from 1584 to 1590. Veneracion’s research also determined that it was in 1584 when the town folk were gathered and moved to central town locations. This early colonial watercolor painting depicts the primitive way of interpreting figures and still life. It is an important piece because it jives with the Boxer Codex, representing a period when the earliest forms of colonial art were made in the Philippine Islands. Saved from the ravages of frequent floods in Central Luzon by steadfast antique runners, and properly housed in a vintage-designed heavy frame courtesy of map and print dealer Joel Cruz, the tender offer should be a very special occasion for celebration.