Historical Paintings lost its popularity with the emergence of Impressionism when the artist broke the rules of tradition to paint light and color, the texture of nature that they saw around them.
Artists who painted historical paintings before the impressionist era were in demand as it was the call of the times to depict the accounts of the heroic adventures of the kings and rulers of Europe. Even Resurreccion Hidalgo and Juan Luna experienced and were involved in the making of historical paintings at the close of the 19th century.

Today most artists in Cebu follow the impressionist, abstract expressionist, cubism, and even the conceptual approach in painting.

There are a few painters who go into historical paintings unless they are commissioned to do so. Manuel Pañares has gone into the painting of the history of Cebu as a call of his time. He feels that a definitive visual representation of its history has to be done so that Cebuanos and all who would need to know more about the mores and tradition as described by writers could also be seen and understood in the painting.

This Exhibition of Recent Works of Manuel Pañares, Sugbo Sa Karaang Panahon is the 1st of a series of historical paintings, January 17-31, l997 at CAP Art Center #60 Osmena Blvd. Cebu City.

The Writings and Translation of the Work of Antonio Pigafetta donated by Dr. Alejandro Roces will be on display for the duration of the exhibition.