OUR LADY OF LOURDES COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Vinzons Ave, Daet Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

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MIDTERM
 OUR LADY OF LOURDES COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Vinzons Ave., Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE

2nd SEMESTERS.Y. 2021-2022

LESSON 4 – THE WORKS OF LUNA AND AMORSOLO

INTRODUCTION
Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo are two important artist in the
history of visual arts in the Philippines. Their artworks illustrate
important points in the Philippine history. This section focuses on the
life of this these two artists and their most important works.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

A. Identify the symbolism used in the works of Luna and

Amorsolo;
B. Explain the importance of the works of Luna and Amorsolo to
the grand narrative of Philippine history; and
C. Evaluate the relevance of the works of Luna and Amorsolo to
the present time.

LESSON PROPER
Activity 1: Define it! Mean it!
Directions: Juan Luna showcased his artistic skills to illustrate the
situation of the Philippines under the Spanish colonial administration.
Imagine that you are tasked to describe the Philippine Nation to a
foreigner who does not have any idea about the Philippines through a
visual work. Draw or sketch a representation of the Philippine nation
according to your own understanding of its present condition.

JUAN LUNA (1857-1899)

Juan Luna was born on October 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He was
third among the seven children of Joaquin Luna de San Pedro y Posadas
(from Zambales) and Laureana Novicio y Ancheta (from La Union). He married
Maria de la Paz Pardo de Tavera and had two children. He was granted the
title Licentiate Pilot for High Seas after passing the government
examination for sailors. He was also a member of the Hong Kong
Revolutionary Committee (Hong Kong Junta) that tried to convince Emilio
Aguinaldo during his exile in Hong Kong to return to the Philippines and
take part in the armed rebellion against the Spaniards. Many Filipino
middle class families had the chance to study not only in the Philippines
but in Europe as well, allowing them to be exposed to new ideas and
ideologies. It was during this time that Juan Luna became famous for his
artistic works.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF LUNA’S PAINTINGS

Many of Luna’s paintings illustrate literary and historical scenes

that carried political commentaries. The most important work of Luna is
the Spoliarium, the largest painting in the Philippines (4.22 m x 7.67 m).
Luna spent eight months working on the painting which is now displayed in
the main gallery of the National Museum of Fine arts. It won three gold
medals in the 1884 Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid. Another
work of Juan Luna is the La Muerte de Cleopatra (The Death of Cleopatra)
Which won the silver medal in the 1881 Exposicion Nacional de Bella Artes
in Madrid, Jose Rizal delivered a congratulatory speech for the success of
Juan Luna.

SPOLARIUM
 THE BATTLE OF LEPANTO

Aside from his award-winning paintings, Juan Luna is also renowned

for the following remarkable works: (1) the El Pacto de Sangre which shows
the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi; (2)
the Parisian life which shows a lady sitting uncomfortably in a couch in a
public bar while being interpretations, resemble Jose Rizal, Juan Luna,
and Dr. Ariston Lin-Bautista; and (3) the Portrait of a lady which was
first titled Paz Pardo de Tavera, after the wife of Luna which shows a
woman holding a rosary in a scene that seems to be after a sexual
interlude. However, the lady in the painting does not look like Juan
Luna’s wife at all. Some critics suppose that it resembles the image of
Luna’s favorite model, a Caucasian named Angela Duche while others believe
the lady is an image of Luna’s idealized vision of his wife. This
particular painting is controversial for it contains no foreshadowing to
the tragedy of Luna’s marriage which ended with him shooting his wife in
September of 1892

FERNANDO CUETO AMORSOLO (1892-1972)

Fernando Amorsolo was born in Calle Heran (popularly know today as
Pedro Gil) in Paco, Manila on May 20, 1892. He studied at the Art School
of the Liceo de Manila and at the University of the Philippines’ School of
Fine Arts. He worked as draftsman for the Bureau of Public Works, as a
Chief Artist at the Public Commercial Company, and as a part time
instructor in the University of the Philippines.

Amorsolo painted and sketched more than 10,000 pieces over his
lifetime using natural and backlighting techniques which gave him
numerous awards and recognitions, The themes of his paintings are mostly
rural Philippine landscapes. Two of Amorsolo’s award-winning works are (1)
the Leyendo El Pariodico which won second place in the Bazaar Escolta in
1908 and (2) the Afternoon Meal of Rice Workers which won first prize at
the New York World’s Fair in 1939. Other works of Amorsolo include the
Making of the Philippine Flag, The First Baptism in the Philippines which
was based on theaccounts of Pigafetta, and Under the Mango Tree.

On April 24, 1972, Amorsolo died from heart failure. In the same
year, Amorsolo was declaired the first National Artist of the Philippines
in painting. He is also considered as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine
Art.”

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF AMORSOLO’S PAINTINGS

Amorsolo’s paintings depict life

during the late American regime and the
Japanese occupation in the Philippines.
He was known for his works focusing on
rural landscapes that show his mastery in
the use of light. Amorsolo’s significant
paintings during the Japanese occupation
depict wartime atrocities particularly
the suffering of the Filipino under Page
3 the Japanese authorities. Some of
Amorsolo’s works presenting such scene
are the Bombing of The Intendencia, the
Bombing of the Legislative Building, the
Rape of Manila, and the Burning of Sto.
Domingo, all produced in 1942; Rizal
Avenue in Ruins and Defense of a Filipino
Woman’s Honor in 1945; and the Burning of
Manila in 1946.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2 : ARTISTS AND THEIR PAINTINGS.

Directions: Choose two paintings –one by Juan Luna and another by Fernando
Amorsolo. Compare the artists’ styles and techniques as observed from the
chosen paintings. Provide specific details derived from your observation.

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LEARNING ACTIVITY 3 : MYSTERIOUS PAINTINGS.

Directions: Juan Luna used his skills in painting to expose the state of
the Philippines under the Spanish colonial rule. Aside from this, some of
his paintings became popular because of the personal stories attached to
them. His painting Parisian Life caught the attention of the public in
2002 after GSIS bought it for P46 million at an auction in Hongkong. The
Portrait of a Lady also became popular because of rumors that it was
cursed. In 300 to 500 words, write your thoughts on these stories of
mysterious paintings from insights you may gain from the readings
referenced below. Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.
 The Parisian life The portrait of a lady

LEARNING ACTIVITY 3: ASSESSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY

SOURCES IN UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE OF PHILIPPINE
HISTORY.
Directions: Give at least three reasons why the paintings of Luna and
Amorsolo are important to the grand narrative of Philippine History.

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5 4 3 2 1
CRITERIA

Introduction: The introduction is inviting, states a

clear thesis statement and previews the structure of
the paper. There is one clear, well-focused thesis
statement.

Supporting details: Relevant, telling, quality

details give the reader important information that
goes beyond the obvious or predictable.

Organization: Ideas flow together smoothly and form

coherent arguments.

Grammar and Spelling: No errors in grammar or

spelling that distract the reader from the content.
REFERENCES:
Asuncion N. & Cruz G. (2019). Readings in the Philippine History. C & E
Publishing Inc. 839 Edsa South Triangle Quezon City. A Collection of some of Juan
Luna’s masterpieces.(2016). Retrieved from:
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1315/a-collection-ofsome-juan-lunas-
masterpieces. A Small Collection of Ferando Amorsolo’s paintings. (2016).
Retrieved from” https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1372/ a-small-
collectionof-fernando-amorsolos-paintings.

PREPARED BY:
ANDREA DIANNE E. CABRERA
FACULTY