Maverick Ricalde

Am30

MY REFLECTION
Juan Luna is considered one of the greatest Filipino
artists in Philippine history with masterpieces such as
Spolarium, The Death of Cleopatra and Blood Compact. Not
only did he excel in artistry, but he was also a political
activist during the time of the Philippine Revolution during
the late 19thcentury. His close friendship with National Hero
Jose Rizal has sparked Philippine nationalism and pride. Juan
Luna was mostly known for his works as being dramatic and
dynamic, focusing on romanticism and realism styles of art.

Born on October 23, 1857 in the town of Badoc in

Ilocos Norte, Juan was the son of Don Joaquin Luna de San
Pedro y Posadas and Do a Laureana Novicio y Ancheta. Juan
early interest in art was due to the influence of his brother,
Manuel, who was also a painter. He received his degree in
Bachelor of Arts at Ateneo de Manila and enrolled later at
Escuela Nautica de Manila where he became a sailor. This
did not stop Luna from his pursuit in developing his artistic skills. He took lessons under the famous
painting teacher Lorenzo Guerrero and also enrolled at Academia de Dibujo y Pintura under the Spanish
artist Agustin Saez.

In 1877, Juan Luna traveled to Europe to continue his studies and enrolled at Escuela de Bellas
Artes de San Fernando. It was in 1881 when he received his first major achievement as an artist and this
is through winning a silver medal at the Exposici Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Demonstration of
Fine Arts) with his work The Death of Cleopatra. From there, he continued to gain recognition and
respect as an artist. Juan Luna kept on impressing the European and Filipino society through the
Exposician Nacional de Bellas Artes with outstanding works such as the Spolarium which won gold in
1884 and Battle at Lepanto in 1887.

Juan Luna's other popular works include. The Happy Beauty and the Blind Slave, Tampuhan,
Mestiza Lady at her Dresser and Roman Ladies. He died in 1899 at the age of 42 after he suffered from a
heart attack. Today, several of his works can be found in esteemed museums in the Philippines such as
the Lopez Museum and National Museum.