FAMOUS ARTS

AND ARTISTS
FROM THE
PHILIPPINES
JUAN LUNA
Juan Luna was born on October 23, 1857 and passed away December 7,
1899. He was a renowned Filipino artist who is widely regarded as one of the
most important figures in Philippine art history. He was born in Badoc, Ilocos
Norte, Philippines, and received his early education at the Ateneo Municipal
de Manila. In 1877, he traveled to Spain to pursue his passion for painting,
enrolling at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid.
During his time in Europe, Luna gained recognition for his impressive works,
particularly for his painting "Spoliarium," which won the first gold medal in
the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid in 1884. He continued to
gain acclaim for his subsequent works, including "Parisian Life" and "The
Death of Cleopatra."
Luna died in Hong Kong in 1899, at the age of 42. Despite his relatively short
life, his contributions to Philippine art and culture are widely recognized and
celebrated, with many of his works now considered national treasures.
Here are a few of Juan Luna's famous
art works
• Spolarium
• Parisian Life
• The Death of Cleopatra
• La Bulaqueña
• Battle of Lepanto
Spoliarium (1884). This painting depicts the horrible reality of gladiatorial sport during the ancient Rome,
wherein they fight to the death for their freedom. The painting shows dead bodies of gladiators getting
dragged away after a fight as the crowd just watches. This is considered as one of the most significant works
of Philippine art. The painting won the first gold medal at the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid
in 1884, bringing Luna recognition in the fields of art. Spolarium is now on display located at the National
Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
Parisian Life (1892). This painting portrays a
fashionable Parisian lady enjoying an evening out.
This painting has departed from Juan Luna’s
typical dark or cruel works. Parisian Life shows
Juan Luna’s artistic skill in capturing and painting
the social and cultural life of the Parisian high
society during the 19th century. The painting is
notable for its intricate details, vivid colors, and
the sense of movement and vibrancy it conveys.
Today this painting is housed in the National
Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
The Death of Cleapatra (1881). This
painting shows the final moments of
Cleaopatra, queen of ancient Egypt. The
painting showcases Juan Luna's skill in
portraying a dramatic and emotional scene
as Cleopatra dies. Today, "The Death of
Cleopatra" is located in the National
Museum of Fine Arts in Manila and
remains a popular painting of Juan Luna.
La Bulaqueña (1885). This painting
shows a young woman from
Bulacan, Philippines. This work of
Juan Luna portrays his ability in
capturing and showing the beauty
of Filipino women. By utilizing
simple colors, proper lighting and
shadows the painting is able to
capture beauty in its simple form.
Today, "La Bulaqueña" is housed in
the National Museum of Fine Arts
in Manila and is regarded as a
national treasure of the Philippines.
Battle of Lepanto (1887). This
painting shows the historical
naval battle of the Spanish and
Ottoman empires in 1571.
Battle of Lepanto is one of
Luna’s biggest work, measuring
in at 4.22 meters by 7.675
meters. This painting is another
one of Juan Luna’s painting
which depicts a brutal scene,
specifically about how war is
chaotic and violent. The Battle
of Lepanto can be located in the
National Museum of Fine Arts
in Manila.
Fernando Amorsolo was born on May, 30 1892 and passed away on April 24,
1972. He was a famous and skilful Filipino painter, specializing in paintings
the countryside of the Philippines. He was known to skilfully capture and
show the simple beauty of everyday Filipino lives. Fernando Amorsolo was
the first declared national artist of the Philippines on April 2, 1972.
Fernando Amorsolo studied arts at the Liceo de Manila Art School and the
Art Students League in New York. In 1914, he won a scholarship to study at
the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain, where he was able to study
the works of European masters such as Velázquez and Goya. Amorsolo also
travelled to Paris and Rome to study and further his skills. He returned to the
Philippines in 1920 and established himself as one of the most prominent
Filipino artists of his time.
Here are a few of Fernando
Amorsolo's famous art works
• Planting Rice
• Maiden In A Stream
• The Bombing of Intendencia
• Afternoon Meals of the Workers
• Sunday Morning Going to Town
Maiden in a Stream (1950). This painting
depicts women bathing and washing their
clothes by the stream. This painting
captures the beauty of Filipino women in
their daily lives. Yet again, this painting
shows the beauty and skill of Fernando
Amorsolo in painting the everyday lives
in the Philippines from the past with
amazing detail. Today, this painting can
be seen in the National Museum of Fine
Arts in Manila.
Planting Rice (1949). This painting
portrays Filipino farmers planting
rice in in a rice field. This is one of
Fernando Amorsolo’s iconic works.
This portrays the Filipino spirit of
being industrious, hardworking and
helpful with each other. This
painting can be seen in National
Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
The Bombing of the Intendencia
(1942). This painting shows the
aftermath of the Japanese bombing
the Manila during the World War ll.
This artwork is considered as one
of Fernando Amorsolo’s powerful
yet dark work. The painting shows
a dark smoke covering a big
portion of the canvas as people run
in fear and terror. The Bombing of
the Intendencia can be located and
seen in the collection of the
National Museum of Fine Arts in
Manila.
Afternoon Meal of the Workers
(1939). This painting depicts
hardworking farmers taking a
break from farming rice. It can be
seen from this painting that the
farmers are resting under a shade
while cooking an afternoon meal.
Today, The Afternoon Meal of the
Workers can be seen in the Lopez
Museum and Library in Pasig City.
SUNDAY MORNING GOING TO TOWN
(1957). THIS PAINTING SHOWS A
FILIPINO FAMILY LEAVING THEIR
HOUSE TO GO TO MARKET WHERE
THEY CAN SELL THEIR CROPS. THIS
PORTRAYS ONE OF THE FILIPINO
TRADITIONS OF GROWING AND
SELLING THEIR OWN CROPS AS A WAY
OF LIVELIHOOD. SUNDAY MORNING
GOING TO TOWN CAN BE SEEN AS
THE ESSENCE OF FILIPINO CULTURE
AS IT PORTRAYS A LOT OF ITS
TRADITION SUCH AS UTILIZING
CATTLE FOR TRANSPORTATION,
BAHAY KUBO AS THEIR HOUSING,
AND WEARING O TRADITIONAL
FILIPINO CLOTHING. SUNDAY
MORNING GOING TO TOWN CAN BE
SEEN IN AYALA MUSEUM IN MAKATI
THAT IS ALL
THANK YOU!
MEMBERS

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