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Restoration of Four Murals by Philippine National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco
at the Philippine General Hospital, Manila
2 MINUTE READ
January 1, 2022

Program Year: 2006

Grantee: National Museum of the Philippines

Grant Amount: US$38,631

Awarding Agency: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (under the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Program)

Project Summary: The Project involved the restoration of four murals paintings by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco that are displayed at the entrance lobby of the Philippine General Hospital. The mural paintings, entitled “History of Medicine”, depict the history of Philippine medicine from ancient tradition and the discovery of natural remedies to modern medicine during the Spanish and American periods.  Specific conservation treatment activities done include: a) solubility testing; b) facing and consolidation of paint layers; c) cleaning of surfaces and removal of old lining and re-lining; d) removal of facing, surface dirt and old varnish; e) grafting of holes and leveling lacunae; and f) preliminary and final retouching. The work also included the reinstallation of the murals and the installation of protective glass coverings and new lighting system.

Status: Completed in January 2008