Art App

1. What are the controversies/issues raised in the ff. videos?

1.a. Juan Luna “sauvage”

- The controversy surrounding Juan Luna's killing of his wife and mother-in-law is a complex one. On one hand,
some argue that the killings were a crime of passion, while others believe that Luna should have been held
accountable for his actions. It is important to consider the cultural context in which this event occurred, as well as
the legal implications of the case.

1.b. Botong Francisco: A Nation Imagined

Botong Francisco was known for being a dark-skinned child in his town, which was seen as a source of shame by
some of the locals. He was often ostracized and ridiculed for his skin color, which I considered to be his issue.
1.c. Fernando Amorsolo

-The issue raised was when Amorsolo got questioned and critiqued about his works’ lack of
depth and too shallow in their meaning. They argue that his works lack complexity and do not
explore deeper themes or ideas. Despite this criticism often from his co-artist, Amorsolo’s works
remain popular and have been praised for their beauty and technical skill. We know his works are
often seen as accessible and easy to understand. His paintings often feature simple, everyday
scenes that are easy to relate to. His paintings are often seen as a source of national pride, as they
depict the beauty of the Filipino countryside and its people. His works continue to be celebrated by
art enthusiasts around the world.
-The prevalence of forgeries of Amorsolo's works has been a source of controversy in the art world
for decades. The artist's works are often seen as highly valuable and sought after, making them a
prime target for forgers.
-Fernando Amorsolo's decision to have two wives and 14 children was a source of controversy in
his time. His first wife, Salud, bore him six children, while his second wife, Maria Carmen, bore
him eight. This caused a great deal of scandal and criticism from those who believed that
marriage should be between one man and one woman. However, it is important to note that
Amorsolo's family life was not without its advantages. His large family provided him with a
strong support system, which allowed him to pursue his artistic ambitions without worrying
about financial stability. His children also served as an inspiration for many of his works, which
often depicted scenes of rural life in the Philippines. Ultimately, Amorsolo's issue of having two
wives and 14 children serves as a reminder that our society has changed over time. It highlights
the need for greater acceptance and understanding of different lifestyles and family structures
and serves as a reminder that we should strive to be more tolerant and open-minded toward one
another.
1.d. Juna Luna “Spoliarium Boceto”

The debate over whether or not Juan Luna created the painting "Spoliarium Boceto."This aspect of Juan Luna's
Spoliarium has yet to be proven. In fact, they are convinced that the painting was created by him. However, some
may disagree.
 2. From the controversies/issues raised, what is/are the common point/s? Enumerate and
elucidate each.

 Juan Luna “sauvage”

Juan Luna was a great painter. He proved that Filipinos were honorable, capable, and not
sauvages. However, he killed his wife and his mother-in-law, which brought him to jail.
They argued that the killings were just a crime of passion and freed him the following
year. This case was unreasonable and biased because Luna should have received the
punishment he deserved for his actions. And it should blame Luna’s temper and jealousy
in the first place.

Luna revealed that Filipino men then were womanizers, and they went to Paris just to
womanize.

 Botong Francisco: A Nation Imagined

Botong Francisco's painting, "A Nation Imagined," is a romanticized view of Philippine history. It is a celebration
of the country's culture and its people, and it reflects Francisco's own experiences growing up in the Philippines.
They called him a dark-skinned child in his town, which led him to develop a strong sense of pride in his identity
and culture. This experience is reflected in many of his works, such as A Nation Imagined.

 Ferdinand Amorsolo’s works got critiqued because they were often seen as accessible
and easy to understand. His paintings often feature simple, everyday scenes that are
easy to relate to. His paintings are often seen as a source of national pride as they
depict the beauty of the Filipino countryside and its people.
- Many of Amorsolo's works are seen as lacking in depth or complexity, with critics arguing
that they are too simplistic and lack meaningful symbolism or themes.

- Forgeries of Amorsolo's works are often difficult to distinguish from the real thing, leading to
confusion and frustration among collectors.
- Amorsolo's personal life has been a source of controversy due to his multiple marriages and
large number of children. His large family provided him with a strong support system, which
allowed him to pursue his artistic ambitions without worrying about financial stability. His
children also served as an inspiration for many of his works, which often depicted scenes of
rural life in the Philippines. Ultimately, Amorsolo's issue of having two wives and 14
children serves as a reminder that our society has changed over time. It highlights the need
for greater acceptance and understanding of different lifestyles and family structures and
serves as a reminder that we should strive to be more tolerant and open-minded toward one
another.

 Juna Luna “Spoliarium Boceto”

It is difficult to determine if the Spoliarium Boceto was made by Juan Luna due to a lack of evidence. However,
many art historians and critics have argued that it was indeed created by him. There is a great deal of debate
surrounding this issue, as some believe that the painting was not made by Luna but by someone else.
However, whether Juan Luna painted the spoliarium or not, We cannot deny the fact that the painting was about
interest, history, identity, and where we came from as Filipinos.

3. What do these controversies/issues tell us of our origin, history & culture as Filipinos?

- The controversies and issues surrounding the art of Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo and
Botong Francisco tell us a lot about our origin, history and culture as Filipinos. They remind
us of the struggles that our ancestors faced in order to survive and thrive in a hostile
environment. They also remind us of the resilience and determination of our people, who
have persevered despite adversity. These controversies also remind us of the importance of
preserving our cultural heritage. The works of these three artists are a testament to the
creativity and skill of Filipino artists, and serve as a reminder that we should strive to protect
and promote our culture. Finally, these controversies also highlight the importance of
understanding our history. We must learn from our past mistakes in order to ensure that we
do not repeat them in the future. We must also strive to create a better future for ourselves
and for future generations.

4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the “sauvage” claim in the life of Juan
Luna.

The “sauvage” claim is a term used to describe the idea that Filipinos were uncivilized and
primitive. This claim was used to justify the Spanish colonization of the Philippines and to
legitimize the subjugation of Filipinos.

One advantage of this claim was that it allowed for Spanish colonization of the Philippines
without any resistance from the native population. This allowed for a relatively peaceful
transition from Spanish rule to American rule.

However, this claim also had several disadvantages. It perpetuated a negative stereotype
about Filipinos, which led to discrimination and mistreatment. It also served to limit
opportunities for Filipinos, as they were seen as inferior to other races. This limited their
access to education and employment, which further hindered their progress. In the life of
Juan Luna, this claim had both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it allowed him to
pursue his artistic ambitions without facing discrimination or prejudice. On the other hand, it
meant that he was often overlooked or dismissed as an artist because of his ethnicity.

5. Why do you think the art and the artists presented are still relevant to this day?

The art of Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo and Botong Francisco is still relevant today
because it speaks to the Filipino identity. Their works depict the struggles and triumphs of
the Filipino people, from the Spanish colonial period to the present day. The art of these three
artists is a reminder of our history and culture, and serves as an inspiration for future
generations.

Their works also reflect the changing times in which they lived. For example, Luna's
Spoliarium is a powerful depiction of the subjugation of Filipinos under Spanish rule.
Amorsolo's landscapes capture the beauty of rural life in the Philippines during his time. And
Botong Francisco's murals depict the changing social landscape of the country in his lifetime.
The art of these three artists is also a testament to their skill and talent. They were all masters
in their respective fields, creating works that are still admired by many today. Their works
have been exhibited in galleries around the world, and have been featured in books and films.

Finally, their art is still relevant today because it serves as a reminder of our shared history as
Filipinos. It reminds us that despite our differences, we are all connected by our shared
culture and heritage. It is a reminder that we must continue to strive for progress and unity in
order to build a better future for ourselves and our children.