Hidalgo's "El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante"
"El Asesinato del Gobernador Bustamante" (detail) Félix Resurrección Hidalgo (1855 – 1913) Hidalgo's graphic portrayal of Governor-General Bustamante's murder at the hands of the friars. This painting was featured in the 1905 St Louis Exposition in the US. But I often wonder what could have become of Hidalgo if the opus was displayed publicly and garnered controversy at the height of Filipino confrontation against Spain and the friars. It could have been taken as open defiance against the powers at that time. Some imply that Luna and Hidalgo hid their sentiments against the mother country behind the essence of their works, yet there were also the likes Rizal, Jaena, and M.H del Pilar who used words and satire to boldly declare their criticism of the colonial system. Played safe in a time when others fought openly?