John Michael L.
Manila
2021
History 11 (2:00pm-3:00pm)
Instructor: Mr. Renato Valdez
Activity 2.4
Search online for two paintings, one from Luna and the other one for Amorsolo. Then discuss the
ideas portrayed in the paintings.
Juan Luna
Title of the Painting Elements/Principle
1. Spoliarium The Spoliarium is a popular oil
painting by Juan Luna, which
was completed in Rome in
1884. Lines, light, shape, and
time are the formal elements
represented in the painting. The
design principles present in the
painting are proportion and
unity.
2. The Parisian Life “The Parisian Life” was an oil on
canvas painting that measured
22 inches long and 31 inches
wide. The painting depicts a girl
sitting on a sofa and three
gentlemen discussing the state
of the country, which is under
stress. The three gentlemen
were correspondingly identified
as Juan Luna, Dr. Jose Rizal and
Ariston Baptista, the three
patriot Heroes of our country.
September 29,
EDE-1B
Meaning/Message
Juan Luna’s Spolarium wants to
emphasize the human injustice
that the Philippines experience
during the Spanish colonization.
Spolarium is all about equality
in our social, moral and political
life.
The painting "The Parisian Life"
is also known as Interior d'un
Cafi, which translates as "inside
a café. The painting has a
popular meaning or
interpretation in which the lady
sitting on the sofa is identified
as a flirt and prostitute. In
contrast, Luna's personal
experience with his wife, who
had an affair with another man.
Another interpretation holds
that the lady is a reflection of
the Philippine archipelago.

Title of the Painting
1. Antipolo Fiesta
2. Palay Maiden
(Dalagang Bukid)
Fernando Amorsolo
Elements/Principle
It was a 51x76 inch oil on
canvas. The popular
interpretation here is that it
focuses on a pair of dancers in
the field surrounded by young
and old revelers.
The painting "Palay Maiden"
depicts a Filipina holding palay,
a rice field in the background,
and a Filipino harvesting palay.
Amorsolo portrayed a distinctly
feminine character,
demonstrating the country and
time culture.
Meaning/Message
This painting portrays a rural
scenario in Antipolo with a
group of people celebrating a
fiesta. It represents the
bountiful harvest of the Filipino
Fiesta in Antipolo, where
Filipinos presented and
gathered various types of foods.
In this painting, Amorsolo does
not correspond to a Western
idea of beauty by trying to
describe the face, such as the
eyes, nose, as well as skin color.
The message here is essentially
about the ideal Filipina Beauty.