ANALYSIS OF

(SPOLIARIUM)

GROUP # 7
TYPE OF DOCUMENT

The primary is source is a

19 century oil-on-canvas
th

painting.
WHO PAINTED IT?

• It was painted by Juan Luna.

WHO READ/ RECEIVED IT?

It was an entry to the prestigious

Exposition de Bellas Artes (Madrid Art
Exposition, May 1884) but today it is open
for public viewing at the National Museum.
WHEN IS IT FROM?

• It was painted by Juan Luna in 1884.

WHERE IS IT FROM?

• It is part of the fine art collection of the

National Museum.
WHAT IS IT TALKING ABOUT?

• It talks about the happenings in a

spoliarium which is the Coliseum’s
chamber for the dead bodies of gladiators
are being disposed after a fight.
WRITE ONE SENTENCE
SUMMARIZING THE PAINTING.
In the context of nationalism and freedom from the
Spaniards, the painting tells the viewers about the
oppressions and exploitations of those who were in
power (Spaniards) against the Filipinos, thus, the
viewers (specifically the Filipinos) were enthused to
stand and fight the oppressors.
WHY DID THE ARTIST PAINT IT?

• The artist believed that art can be an instrument to

shape the society.
WHY DID THE ARTIST PAINT IT?
(QUOTE EVIDENCE FORM THE DOCUMENT THAT TELLS YOU THIS)

Every detail of the painting tells a story that

can be related to the situation of the
Filipinos during the artist’s time.
WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT THE TIME
IN HISTORY THIS PAINTING WAS
PAINTED?
Filipinos were under the Spanish rule and the artist
was aware of the abuses done by the colonizers to his
countrymen.
WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT FROM THIS
DOCUMENT THAT YOU MIGHT NOT
LEARN ANYWHERE ELSE?
• The painting was a holistic depiction of the
society during the painter’s era that we can
also relate to what is happening today in
our country.
WHAT OTHER DOCUMENTS OR
HISTORICAL EVIDENCE ARE YOU GOING TO
USE TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THIS
EVENT OR TOPIC?
• Historical accounts about the happenings during the
Spanish colonization.
• Other paintings done by Filipino artist of Juan Luna’s
generation.