Notes on Juan Luna's Life and Works

Early Life

• Date of Birth: October 23, 1857
• Place: Badok, Ilocos Norte Province
• Parents: Joaquin Luna and Lorena Novicho
• Siblings: Four brothers - Manuel, Jose, Joaquin, and Antonio

Education and Early Career

• Initial Education: Ateneo Municipal
• Further Studies: Transferred to Escuela Nautica de Manila to become a Marine officer
• Art Classes: Enrolled in painting classes at Academia Ventura
  • First Teacher: Don Lorenzo Guerrero recognized Luna's potential and encouraged his family to send him to Spain.

Journey to Spain

• Year of Arrival: 1877
• School: San Fernando School of Fine Arts in Madrid
• Achievements:
  • Won first academic prize in first year
  • Took private lessons from Alejo Vera

Artistic Development in Rome

• Influence of Rome: Inspired by classical painters like Michelangelo and Rafael.
• Major Works:
  • Painted "Daphne and Cleo" (silver palette at Licio Artistico de Manila)
  • "The Death of Cleopatra" (silver medal at Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts)
• Living Conditions: Resided in Via Marguta, a rundown area, while creating masterpieces.

Rise to Prominence

• International Recognition: Gained attention after winning a silver medal in Madrid, leading to a pension from the Philippine government.
• Subsequent Works:
  • Started planning "The Spolarium" inspired by Charles Louis de Zobry's book
  • The painting depicted a tragic scene in a Roman amphitheater, influenced by grief over his brother Manuel's death.

Life in Paris

• Move to Paris: Opened studio at 65 Boulevard Arago in 1885.
• Community: Filipino expatriates formed "Los Indios Bravos" which included prominent figures like Jose Rizal and Marcelo del Pilar.
• Sales: The Spolarium sold for 20,000 pesos to the Barcelona provincial committee.

Personal Life and Legal Troubles

• Marriage: Married Paz Pardo de Tavera and had two children.
• Tragic Incident: Involved in the murder of his wife and mother-in-law out of jealousy.
  • Legal Outcome: Acquitted by French court, but different accounts suggest he was found guilty with a light sentence.
• Return to the Philippines: Came back after 17 years, faced charges for sedition due to propaganda activities, but received a royal pardon in 1897.

Later Life and Death

• Political Involvement: Represented the Philippines at the Paris Convention after the Spanish-American War of 1898.
• Brother's Death: His brother Antonio, a general in the Revolutionary Army, was killed, prompting Luna to leave for Hong Kong.
• Death: Suffered a heart attack in Hong Kong; initially buried in Happy Valley Cemetery, later reinterred in San Agustin Great Chapel in 1920.

Legacy

• The Spolarium: Given to the Philippines by the Spanish government in 1953, later transported to the National Museum, cut into four pieces for transit.

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