Danielle M.

Laguardia March 27, 2023

S12- Milk Thistle EAPP

A Reader-Response Critique of Juan Luna’s Spoliarium

The painting ‘Spoliarium’ by the Filipino artist Juan Luna, shows a powerful emotional
response to the viewer due to the intense emotions portrayed in the painting. The painting depicts
a scene in ancient Rome where gladiators who have fallen in battle are stripped of their armor
and left to die in the pit. Gladiators are armed combatants, which is either a slave, captive, or
criminals, that are compelled to fight in a public arena against another person or a wild animal, in
order to entertain the audiences. In the painting, we can see the Romans mercilessly dragging the
lifeless body of the gladiators’ out of the vast arena into the unknown darkness. On the other
hand, on the left side of the painting, we can see the group of audiences or spectators watching
them, while on the right side of the painting, we can see a woman crouched down as she mourns
in sorrow to the loss of a loved one. The depiction of the tragic scene and cruelty in the painting
arouses powerful emotions such as hopelessness, suffering, despair, sorrow, as well as empathy
towards the artwork.

Juan Luna’s Spoliarium use of color and light contributes to its emotional impact on the
viewer. The dark color scheme and muted colors is particularly striking as it enhances the feeling
of despair, suffering, and hopelessness that the painting wants to convey. The exceptional use of
light and shadow, also adds to the somber and solemn mood of the painting, which creates a
sense of drama and tension that further emphasizes the brutality and tragedy of the scene.
Moreover, the artists’ attention to detail adds to the realism and naturalism of the painting, which
contributes to it emotional connection to the viewer, due its realistic depiction of the gladiator’s
bodies and proportion, and the spectators’ expression. The positioning of the figures in the
painting is striking as well, as it is arranged in a way that draws the viewer’s attention to the
center of the painting, which is where the Romans is dragging the lifeless body of the gladiator’s
into the darkness.

As the painting portrays realism, it also made me quite uncomfortable due to its portrayal
of violence and brutality. It delves on such a dark subject and has a vivid and eerie visual that it
creates an overwhelming feeling of discomfort and uneasiness. Furthermore, the tragic scene in
the painting with its fallen gladiators lifeless body mercilessly dragged away, the apparent
indifference of the spectators and handlers, and the mourning and suffering of the woman, shows
injustice, cruelty, helplessness, suffering, violence, and inhumanity. This made me become quite
desensitized which encouraged me to reflect on my own morals and capacity for empathy.

Despite the discomfort and uneasiness the painting brings to me, I still found myself drawn
to its impactful visual and powerful message. According to some art experts, the painting is a
representation of how the people of the Philippines suffered during Spanish control. It depicts
how our country, the Philippines, that was once rich in culture, were dragged like slaves, stripped
of our weaponry to fight, and garments to retain dignity, when we were colonized by the
Spaniards. Just like how the gladiators were stripped and mercilessly dragged towards the
darkness by the Romans. It is also said that the spectators’ represents the Filipinos who have the
power to do something, but instead chose to stood by and watch as the country is headed to
destruction and downfall. While, the mourning people is said to represent the Filipino’s whose
still hoping for glory and freedom. Juan Luna’s Spoliarium have excellently portrayed the
essence of the political, social, and moral lives of the Filipino during the period of the Spaniard
colonization.
 In conclusion, Juan Luna’s Spoliarium is a powerful work of art that portrays the
historical occurrence in the Philippines and evokes a strong emotional response to the viewer,
through its realistic depiction of tragedy and cruelty.. The paintings use of color, light, shadow,
and other devices contributes to the overall emotional impact and eerie visual of the painting.
The intent in the painting is to reminds us the violence and oppression that was prevalent in the
Philippines at the time and to highlight the importance of freedom, justice, and human dignity.
Overall, Spoliarium is a masterpiece of art that continues to resonate with the viewers to this day.

Reference:

Nario, H.(2018, September 28). Spoliarium by Juan Luna: Art Criticism. Wordpress.com

https://lishadailyblogs.wordpress.com/2018/09/28/spoliarium-by-juan-luna-art-criticism/

Balsamo, V. R. (2018, March 24). "Juan Luna's Spoliarium" - A short critique. Steemit. com

https://steemit.com/philippines/@vonromulobalsamo/juan-luna-s-spoliarium-a-short-critique

Corner4men. (2021, July 28). Spoliarium By Juan Luna Analysis, Description, And Real
Meaning. Corner4men.com

https://corner4men.com/lifestyle/spoliarium-by-juan-luna-analysis-description-and-real-
meaning-ar229