Pranz Wally G.

Merillo BAIT-2B
Assignment 3 ; SUBJECT AND CONTENT

SPOLIARIUM
Answer the following questions on the space provided.

A. What is the subject of the painting?

The subject of the painting is all about the fallen gladiators or warriors being dragged by
roman soldiers. Spolarium is a Latin word referring to the basement of the Roman
Colosseum.

B. How is the subject of the painting related to Philippine history and

experience?
 Based on my research Juan Luna did this painting in the year 1884 to express the
violation of human rights towards the colonizer of Spain and Juan Luna experienced his
patriotism to it.

C. What is the meaning of the painting related to Philippine history?

The fallen gladiators symbolizes the hardship of Filipinos from the hands of
spain colonialism. Juan Luna expresses his feelings through painting but in my opinion
he did not exactly draw Filipino people to visualize the painting as a metaphor.

D. What does the painting intend to deliver in the present time?

I think the painting intend to express that suffering is still happening in present
times not literally dying but filipino suffer from not getting a justice like killings, human
trafficking and other types of crime.

E. Why do you think the painting is the most valuable artwork in the National
Museum?

Juan Luna uses realistic art and representational art. It means it has a basis and
symbolism. Juan Luna makes a painting about fallen gladiators being dragged by the roman
soldiers. But i think this is just a metaphor to symbolize what happen to our history and that is
being colonized by spain Juan Luna just compare our history to scenario of Romans to deepen
the meaning of Spoliarium

F. What is the relationship between the artwork subject and its content?

The artwork subject is all about the people or events (history) behind the painting while
the content is the story of the artwork meaning the artist will make a content about a person or
past events to express the message behind these subjects.

G. What is the relevance of knowing the meaning of an artwork in Society?

I think the relevance of it is knowing the meaning of it will make us aware of specific
things. The lesson or message behind the artwork might influence a person to change his
perspective on life or gain knowledge . For example this Juan Luna’s
Spoliarium i Learned that it is all about the Philippine History and i gained knowledge of it.

Deadline will be on Sept 22, 2021, wednesday