SF Asian Art Museum - Part 2

Now this was a pretty damn big place. There was no way we were going to look at everything. I would feel more obligated to do that if we actually paid admission to be honest. But, since I am a stickler for time and had a litany of shit to do for the rest of this day, we were going to do the quick tour here.

I apologize for the wonkiness of the photos. My camera was going haywire with wierd blue lines and half shadows in some shots.

The permanent collection of the SF Asian Art Museum has several pieces from the Philippines. One of them is this, a series of brass serving vessels from Mindanao, the southern region of the Philippines.


The painting below is called "Saint Isadore the Farmer and worshipers in a field". Date: approx. 1750-1800. Medium: Oil on wood panel  (info below taken from the SF Art Museum website).
Place of Origin: Philippines Credit Line: Gift of Consuelo H. McHugh
Label: Throughout the agricultural areas of the Philippines, Saint Isadore (Spanish: San Ysedro Labrador), the patron saint of farmers, is especially revered. The May feast day that honors him coincides with the advent of the monsoon, and it is celebrated with elaborate festivities. In certain towns water buffalo are bathed, ornamented, paraded throughout town, and taught to kneel before the church in homage to Saint Isadore. This unsigned painting may depict two episodes from the life of Saint Isadore, who is believed to have been born in Madrid in the 1100s. A farmer who worked on the plantation of Juan de Vargas, Isadore was accused of spending too much time praying, thus shirking his duties. Vargas is said to have found an angel, instead of Isadore, plowing the field when he came to chastise the farmer. Another story describes Isadore miraculously causing water to rise from the parched earth in order to quench Vargas's thirst. Each of the main characters is clearly labeled in the lower margin of the painting. Saint Isadore is depicted much larger than Vargas, who kneels in reverence to the saint's side. Isadore is also depicted wearing clothing similar to that of the landowner, while farmers wearing much simpler garb are shown to the side.
On display: yes
Collection: PAINTING
Dimensions: H. 15 in x W. 22 in x D. 1 3/4 in, H. 38.1 cm x W. 55.9 cm x D. 4.4 cm

The next two paintings are by renowned Philippine artist Amorsolo:




This link will take you to the other Philippine objects owned by the museum. Stuff like a man's Barong Tagalog shirt, a betel box, dagger, burial urn, textiles and a few religious figurines. However, most are NOT on display. The pieces you just saw in this post were the current ones on display. Granted the museum had a shit ton of stuff from the big three: China, Japan, India as well as from Indonesia and Korea. But I only cared about seeing the Philippine stuff which was hidden way in a corner behind all the Southeast Asian art. You can only see so many Buddhas and vases and shit.

Next up - lunch! Hungry?