CONTENT AND CONTEXT ANALYSIS OF JUAN LUNA’S WORKS

JUAN LUNA

Juan is a renowned painter who used his talent

to serve the country during the struggle for
independence. He was born on October 23,
1875, in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He was once
trained as a seafarer however he became an
art apprentice under Lorenzo Guerrero, a
Filipino Painter, at Manila’s Academia de
Dibujo y Pintura. In 1877, he went to Madrid
Spain to study at the Real Artes de San
Fernando wherein he excelled in classical style.
His career thrived in Paris, France. However, in 1892, he killed his wife Paz Pardo de Tavera whom
he married 1886 because of jealousy. Together with Juliana Gorricho Pardo de Tavera, his mother-
in-law. Consequently, he was tried in Paris and was declared guilty in court.
In 1894, Juan returned to the Philippines and tried to restore his creativity but in 1896, he and his
brother Antonio Luna were imprisoned due to their alleged involvement to the Katipunan. And in
1898, he supported independence and became the Philippine revolutionary government’s
diplomatic agent in France. On December 7, 1899, he died due to a heart attack in HongKong.
(National Historical Commission of the Philippines, n.d.)

SPOLIARIUM (1884)

The Philippines in 1884 is still under the

Spanish Colonial Government. It can be
derived in Juan Luna’s painting, the Spoliarium,
the distress and sufferings of the Filipinos, also
the cruelty of the Spaniards. Around this time, forced labor is apparent in the country instigated
by the Spanish Government. It depicts the state of the Philippines portrayed by Roman
Gladiators. The Philippines was once a resourcefully rich country however, upon the Spanish
Colonizers arrival, it was stripped from its beauty and freedom. We can see in the painting a
man stripped off his clothes and weapon being dragged with people watching, crying, and
possibly mourning. The man could represent the Philippines when colonized by Spain, and the
people crying in agony could be the Filipinos. The country and its people are hurting, and
suffering while being enslaved by the colonizers. It clearly expresses the strong, hurtful emotion
of the Filipinos and the Cruelty of the Spanish, especially the darkness of the Philippine’s state
because of the dark and sharp colors used which conveyed the meaning clearly.

THE PARISIAN LIFE (1892)

As mentioned above in Juan Luna’s

background, he killed his wife in 1892 out of
jealousy. The Parisian Life can be interpreted
in connection to that. We can see a picture of
a woman sitting on a couch wearing a lavish
and glamorous clothing. She can be depicted
as a prostitute whom during the time, tried to
appeal to high- class Parisian men. Moreover, there are 2 glasses on the table, and a coat and
a hat on her left which could mean that she was accompanied by someone. Three men on the
left are glancing towards her. Through all these details, I can say that she must be with her
client and is trying to catch the attention of the three men hoping to be noticed and be her
clients. Moreover, her facial expression seems luscious, which could mean that she is trying to
seduce the three men who are watching her. As this painting was made around the time that
Juan’s wife allegedly cheated on him with a Parisian man, it could be a representation of how
he sees a woman, specifically his wife, who is not contented with one partner.
CONTENT AND CONTEXT ANALYSIS OF JUAN LUNA’S WORKS

FERNANDO AMORSOLO

Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto also known as the “Grand

Old Man of Philippine Art”, was the first National Artist of
the Philippines. He is known for his trademark
luminosity. Furthermore, his works mostly feature
scenes of Filipino’s lives and beauty in rural areas
(Ateneo Art Gallery, 2022).

He was born in Calle Herran in Paco, Manila on May 30,

1892, but he spent his childhood in Daet, Camarines
Norte, where his artistry was shaped from his love for
the simple rural life. His eldest half- brother joined a
revolutionary movement and was jailed then executed
by the Spaniards which caused his father’s distress and died of a heart attack. However, his art
continued to showcase the peaceful life in the countryside which gathered criticism. He was viewed
as someone who never had painful or harsh experiences and was living in an idealized world. But
it was due to his effort of appreciating the good and pure rather than shattering his peaceful life with
the harsh realities of the world. He lived during the turning over of the Philippines from the Spanish
Colony to the American Colony where the country was widely influenced by Americans which made
him yearn his peaceful life in Daet. Hence, his painting depicts his love for the lifestyle and tradition
in the countryside during the Spanish Era (Martinez, E., 2009).
 PLANTING RICE

Philippines is a country with rich agricultural

sector even before colonization therefore,
planting rice shows the tradition of Filipinos in
the fields. The painting shows Filipino men and
women wearing salakot while working in the
field. It illustrated the Filipinos teamwork, and
interdependence. Also, the peaceful and simple
life they live. It is a refreshing artwork with soft
colors and streaks that enhances, promotes, and reminisces the life of Filipinos in the countryside
then, which is still enjoyed in some areas in the Philippines now.

DALAGANG BUKID

Filipina women in earlier years are known to have

conservative demeanor, and exotic beauty. In this painting of
Amorsolo, it illustrates the beauty of a pure Filipina, wearing
the traditional baro’t saya, and the lighting emphasizes her
beautiful golden, brownish skin color. Her beautiful smile
constitutes the joyful nature of Filipinos. Moreover, the
painting expresses a light, vibrant, and happy atmosphere
from the colors used which could express the happy life the
woman is living while serving and doing her jobs in the
countryside without losing her conservative demeanor. Since
Amorsolo’s paintings are known to be an ideal view of the life in provinces, it still livens up the
positive ideas and thoughts considering the timeline of events during the making of this painting.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY IN ANALYZING JUAN LUNA AND

FERNANDO AMORSOLO’S PAINTING

In this topic, it is important to study and understand the point of view of the artists, the timeline
of events in their lives, and their overall perspectives in life. Just like how Juan Luna committed a crime
due to jealousy, his painting could possibly express his feelings and perspectives on the said matter.
Moreover, during the trying times of the Philippines and Luna’s involvement in struggling for
independence, his artworks could be interpreted and be connected to the events according to the
timeline. On the other hand, Amorsolo’s ideals and attachment to the simple life in the countryside, it
could affect how he made his artworks, and how the viewers interpret the message and emotions
conveyed. Hence, viewing artworks, especially paintings require more logical reasoning as it does not
express in words, and the interpretation could vary based on the people’s perspectives. Therefore, to
completely understand each artwork, it s important to study the history of the artists, look for indicators
or evidences in the painting, then connect the information gathered to construct a plausible
interpretations.

REFERENCES:

Martinez, E. A. (2009, April 8). Biography. Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation. Retrieved on July
7, 2022, from https://www.fernandocamorsolo.com/biography.html

Museo Ni Juan at Antonio Luna. (2015, March 28). National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
Retrieved on July 7, 2022, from https://nhcp.gov.ph/museums/juan-luna-shrine/

Fernando Amorsolo. (2018, August 2). Ateneo Art Gallery. Retrieved on July 7, 2022,
from https://ateneoartgallery.com/artist/fernando-amorsolo