Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Echague, Isabela

GEC 2 – Readings in Philippine History

Topic 6
Title: Works of Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo

Introduction:

This lesson is richly involved in the study of arts and also incorporates fields like social
history, aesthetics, economics, politics, and anthropology. To these, it adds a particular attention
to critical looking, building core skills in analyzing how visual representation depict of concrete
scenarios and events on the life of people in a specific period in the past; the historical paintings
included in this module are instrumental to the visualization of the reality, which stand equally
with texts, photos, caricatures, and films.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this topic, you are expected to:

1. familiarize oneself with works of Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo that has great part in
Philippine History; and
2. interpret properly the different works of Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo through examining
the content and context of the document/artifacts.

Learning Content:

Juan Luna (1857 – 1899) is regarded for work done in the manner of the Spanish, Italian
and French academies of his time. Luna painted literary and historical scenes, some with an
underscore of political commentary. His allegorical works were inspired with classical balance,
and often showed figures in theatrical poses. He is best known for impressive rendition of classical
subjects in his academic works. These works include historical scenes and portraiture, however
subsequently he turned to realism depicting social inequalities. In this topic, the “Spoliarium” and
“The Parisian Life” are presented for analysis by the students.
SPOLIARIUM 19TH Century – Juan Luna

This image is the most valuable oil-on-canvass painting with a size of 4.22 by 7.675 meters,
making it the largest painting in the Philippines. It won First Gold Medal in 1884 as an entry to
the prestigious Exposition de Bellas Artses in Madrid.

The Parisian Life,1892. French: Interior d’ un Cafi (Inside a Café) --Juan Luna

Fernando Amorsolo (1892 –1972) was one of the most important artists in the history of
painting in the Philippines. Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes.
He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light. Delights people of
his impressionistic technique depicting idyllic country scene, beautiful maidens, and colorfully
dressed peasants planting or harvesting rice. The Paintings are significant in the development of
the formation of Filipino notions of self and identity. In this lesson, the “Antipolo Fiesta” and
“Palay Maiden” paintings are presented for analysis.
This oil painting on canvas depicts a rural scene where a group of people are shown
celebrating a fiesta in Antipolo.
(http://fernandocamorsolo.com/mfca_erratum/index.html)

Palay Maiden, 1920 (Dalagang Bukid) – Fernando Amorsolo

This painting portrayals a provincial Filipina beauty or dalagang bukid during a rice harvest and
dressed and in and enveloped by the colors of the Philippine flag.

References:
Candelaria, et.al. 2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Manila, Philippines.
Ligan, et.al., 2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
Malabon City.
Torres, J. V.,BATIS 2018. Sources in Philippine History, C&E Publishing, Inc.