The Life and Art of Isabelo Tampinco

Take a look at the works of one of the greatest Filipino sculptors in the country’s history to whom we owe the magnificent adornments in historic buildings and cathedrals in the Philippines.

Back in the 20th century, Spanish colonisers greatly influenced Philippine culture and religiosity, and one young artist dared to put Philippine sculpture and architectural art in the international scene. Isabelo Tampinco was born in Novermber of 1850 and received artistic training at the Escuela de Artes y Oficios. With his exceptional talent, one of his wooden sculptures in 1876 known as the busto de madera was selected to be one of the two entries representing the Philippines at the Universal Exposition of Philadelphia. This led him to receive official commission to create a series of Corinthian capitals for the Manila Cathedral, an undertaking that spanned for three years.

Above Isabelo Tampinco

Tampinco passed away in January 30, 1933 leaving his passion for art as well as his skills to his children, Angel and Vidal. Although the sculptor wasn’t hailed as a National Artist and his name may sound obscure to many, he received awards and recognition for his contributions and alluring masterpieces from the Exposicion Universal de Barcelona (1888), Exposición Regional de Filipinas (1895), St. Louis Exposition (1904), and the mérito civil from Governor-General Domingo Moriones for loyal services to the king of Spain in the art of sculpting.

Recently, the Vibal Foundation paid tribute to “the forgotten master” with a book entitled, The Life and Art of Isabelo Tampinco, written by Santiago Albano Pilar and filled with splendid images of his masterpieces taken by photographer David C. Fabros. We feature some of his works and let you know some things about Tampinco that may give you a second look to the churches in the country you’re visiting for religious pilgrimages.

Above Classical Frieze, wood, circa 1920s, Executive Building, Malacañang Palace

Between 1872 and 1882, Tampinco studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where Rizal studied before he left for Spain. Isabelo recounted to Fernando D’Ayot, author of his 1928 biographical sketch, that he went to the same arts class with the national hero.

Above (From left to right) Lady with Cornucopia, plaster cast, undated, private collection; Mater Dolorosa, polychrome plaster cast, circa 1920s, Salas family collection

In 1876, one of his sculptures—described simply as a busto de madera—was chosen to be one of the Philippines’ representative works in the Universal Exposition of Philadelphia. The other entry was Críspulo Jócson’s bajo relieve de madera. In 1886 he received a commission to decorate memorial for King Alfonso XII of Spain.

Above Marble-top table on a base carved with six sphinxes, circa 1880s-1890s, Villa Escudero

Isabelo’s entry to the Exposición Regional de Filipinas (inaugurated in Manila in 1895) was a carving of an altar with a crucifix enclosed, used with native plant motifs manifesting art nouveau sensibilities. Frame designs of this sort were later known as “Tampinco frames.” Tampinco’s prominent works include the façade of the Manila Cathedral, the high relief on the molave door of the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, the main altars of the Laoag Cathedral, the woodcarvings of the San Agustin Church, and the interiors of the Old Senate Session Hall of the National Museum and Malacañang Palace.

Photos by David C. Fabros | Words by Mia Borromeo and Franz Sorilla

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The Life and Art of Isabelo Tampinco