JOHN MARK T.

TUMBAGA
OBTEC NL2
A CRITIQUE PAPER ABOUT PARISIAN LIFE BY JUAN LUNA

The Parisian Life, also known as Interior d'un Cafi (also spelled Interior d’Un Café, literally
meaning "Inside a Café"), is an oil on canvas impressionist painting made by Filipino painter and
revolutionary activist Juan Luna in 1892. The painting presently owned by the Government Service
Insurance System is currently exhibited at the National Museum of Fine Arts after the state pension
fund transferred management of its collection to the National Museum in March 2012. Measuring 57 cm
× 79 cm (22 in × 31 in), the Parisian Life is one of the masterpieces that Luna created when he stayed
in Paris, France from October 1884 to February 1893. His own personal “Parisian life” was a total of
eight years. This period in Luna's career in painting is known as the post-academic or the Parisian
period, a time when his style moved away from having “dark colors of the academic palette” and
became “increasingly lighter in color and mood”. As an artist, Luna became renowned on the European
continent and became “a familiar of the French and Spanish royal courts”. During the period, apart from
his heightening artistry Luna was also participating in the Philippine propaganda movement together
with José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Months after painting The Parisian Life, Luna
would be departing from Paris to Madrid, Spain then to Manila, Philippines in 1894 to rejoin Rizal and
Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin, and perform his role in the Philippine Revolution and War of Independence in
1896.(Wikipedia,2023)

A Parisian cafe, suggesting a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The woman In the
foreground, reclining on a sofa, draws attention with her light pink dress contrasting the darker tones.
She can be seen as a woman attracting the other figures, she can be submissive because her pose
suggest a lack of power, and she represents the Philippines under the Spanish rule. The men seated in
the corner engaging in a conversation can be seen as high class people, they are well dressed that
suggesting that they are a high social status people. They can be also depict as a Filipino intellectuals
grappling with colonial oppression. In color context, the painting mostly use dark colors like color brown,
black and gray. We can say that Juan Luna use this color because that time we are under the Spanish
colonization. We are all aware that if we use mostly dark colors in a painting, in only depicts sadness or
somber mood. In the midst of the darkness there is always light that represents hope in future, like the
painting, it also uses light colors most especially in the woman. The light color of the woman symbolizes
that the Filipino that time is looking for the hope in future, other might say that it depicts purity, hope,
and passion. Luna's deliberate use of color in "The Parisian Life" is more than just visual decoration. It
plays a crucial role in conveying the painting's deeper meaning, reflecting the complex emotions and
political realities of the Philippines under Spanish rule. By analyzing the dominant palette, specific color
choices, and their interactions, we gain a richer understanding of the artist's message and the painting's
enduring significance. The painting employs a diagonal composition, drawing the viewer's eye from the
woman's hand, holding a cup, to the window overlooking the bustling Parisian street. This creates a
sense of tension and potential movement. This only shows that Juan Luna in that time has the idea in
revolting against the Spanish colonization. The lone woman dominates the foreground, emphasizing
her emotional state. The newspaper, book, and coffee cup suggest intellectual pursuits and fleeting
moments of leisure. Despite the vibrant city outside, the woman appears introspective and alone,
reflecting the universal human experience of solitude. The woman's affluent attire contrasts with the
working-class figures outside, hinting at social disparities and hidden anxieties. This depicts that Juan
Luna also feel afraid in revolting against the Spanish colonization but his patriotism prevailed in his
heart and mind.

"Parisian Life" is a captivating artwork, rich in symbolism and emotional depth. Luna's masterful
use of composition, color, and light creates a seemingly simple scene that evokes complex
interpretations. Analyzing and understanding the depiction of the different colors, the forms and
elements of arts, and understanding the arts process, we can understand what Juan Luna wants us to
see. Some people might see this painting as simple as that, but if we look and if we dive in to the
deeper meaning of the painting, we can see that this is the way of Juan Luna in expressing his feeling.
Through this painting, he express his patriotism and nationalism. We should be proud as a Filipino
because in a simple painting with different representation and symbolism we got realization.

REFERENCE
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 31). The Parisian Life (painting). In Wikipedia, The
Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:04, February 26, 2024,
from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Parisian_Life_(painting)&oldid=1192851272