College of Criminal Justice Education

For Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021

MODULE 6
The Works of Luna and Amorsolo

INTRODUCTION
This module is about Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo. The two important artist in the history of
visual arts in the Philippines. Their artworks illustrate important points in Philippine history. This section
focuses on the life of these two artists and their most important works.

DATE AND TIME ALLOTMENT

October 9, 12, 14, 2020 (3 hours)

I. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the students are expected to:
a) Identify the symbolism used in the works of Luna and Amorsolo;
b) Explain the importance of the works of Luna and Amorsolo to the grand narrative of Philippine
history; and
c) Evaluate the relevance of the works of Luna and Amorsolo to the present time.

DIAGNOSTICS
Juan Luna showcased his artistic skills to illustrate the situation of the Philippines under the
Spanish colonial administration. Image that you are tasked to describe the Philippine nation to a foreigner
who does not have any idea about the Philippines through a visual work. Draw or sketch a representation
of the Philippine nation according to your own understanding of its present condition.

III. LECTURE
 Juan Luna was born on October 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He was third
among the seven children of Joaquin Luna de San Pedro y Posadas (from
Zambales) and Laureana Novicio y Ancheta (from La Union). He married
Maria de La Paz Pardo de Tavera and had two children. He was granted the
title Licentiate Pilot for High Seas after passing the government examination
for sailors. He was also a member of the Hong Kong Revolutionary
Committee (Hong Kong Junta) that tried to convince Emilio Aguinaldo during
his exile in Hong Kong to return to the Philippines and take part in the armed
rebellion against the Spaniards.
Many Filipino middle class families had the chance to
study not only in the Philippines but in Europe as
JUAN LUNA (1857 – 1899) well, allowing them to be exposed to new ideas and
ideologies. It was during this time that Juan Luna
became famous for his artistic works.

Historical Background of Luna’s Paintings

Many Luna’s paintings illustrate literary and historical scenes that carried political commentaries.
The most important work of Luna is the Spoliarium, the largest painting in the Philippines (4.22 m x 7.
67 m). Luna spent eight months working on the painting which is now displayed in the main gallery of
the National Museum of Fine Arts. It won three gold medals in the 1884 Exposicion Nacional de
Bellas Artes in Madrid. Another work of Juan is the La Muerte de Cleoparta (The Death of Cleopatra)
which won the silver medal in the 1881 Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid. When The
Battle of Lepanto, another work of Luna, won the gold medal in the 1888 Exposicion Nacional de
Bellas Artes in Madrid, Jose Rizal delivered a congratulatory speech for the success of Juan Luna.

SPOLIARIUM THE BATTLE OF LEPANTO

Aside from his award – winning paintings, Juan Luna is also renowned for the following remarkable
works: (1) the El Pacto de Sangre which shows the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi; (2) the Parisian Life which shows a lady sitting uncomfortably in a couch in a public bar
while discretely observed by three men who, according to public interpretations, resemble Jose Rizal, Juan
Luna, and Dr. Ariston Lin – Bautista; and (3) the Portrait of a Lady which was first titled Paz Pardo de
Tavera, after the wife of Luna which shows a woman holding a rosary in a scene that seems to be after a
sexual interlude. However, the Lady in the painting does not look like Juan Luna’s wife at all. Some critics
suppose that it resembles the image of Luna’s favorite model, a Caucasian named Angela Duche while
others believe the lady is an image of Luna’s idealized vision of his wife. This particular painting is
controversial for it contains no foreshadowing to the tragedy of Luna’s marriage which ended with him
shooting his wife in September of 1892.
 Fernando Amorsolo was born in Calle Heran (popularly known today as Pedro
Gil) in Paco, Manila on May 20, 1892. He studied at the Art School of the
Liceo de Manila and the University of the Philippines’ School of Fine Arts. He
worked as draftsman for the Bureau of Public Works, as a Chief Artist at the
Public Commercial Company, and as a part time instructor in the University of
the Philippines.
Amorsolo painted and sketched more than 10,000 pieces over his lifetime
FERNANDO AMORSOLO using natural and backlighting techniques, which gave him numerous awards
(1892 – 1972) and recognitions. The themes of his paintings are mostly rural
Philippine landscapes. Two of Amorsolo’s award – winning works are (1) the Leyendo El Periodico which won
second place in the Bazaar Escolta in 1908 and (2) the Afternoon Meal of Rice Workers which won first prize at
the New York World’s Fair in 1939. Other works of Amorsolo include the Making of the Philippine Flag, The First
Baptism in the Philippines which was based on the accounts of Pigafetta, and Under the Manggo Tree.
On April 24, 1972, Amorsolo died from heart failure. In the same year, Amorsolo was declared the first
National Artist of the Philippines in painting. He is also considered as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art”.

Historical background of Amorsolo’s Paintings

Amorsolo’s paintings depict life during the American regime and the Japanese occupation in the
Philippines. He was known for his works focusing on rural landscapes that shows his mastery in the use of
light. Amorsolo’s significant paintings during the Japanese occupation depict wartime atrocities particularly
the suffering of the Filipinos under the Japanese authorities. Some of Amorsolo’s works presenting such
scenes are the Bombing of The Intendencia, the Bombing of the legislative Building, the Rape of Manila,
and the Burning of Sto. Domingo, all produced in 1942; Rizal Avenue in Ruins and Defense of Filipino
Woman’s Honor in 1945; and the Burning of Manila in 1946.

THE RAPE OF MANILA

Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Cruz

taken from the National Museum of
Fine Arts.
III. ACTIVITY/APPLICATION
Activity 6. Artists and their Paintings
Name & Section: _____________________________________________________________________
Instructions: Choose two paintings – one by Juan Luna and another by Fernando Amorsolo. Compare the
artists’ styles and techniques as observed from the chosen paintings. Provide specific details derived from
your observation.
Luna’s painting: _______________________________________________________
Amorsolo’s painting: ____________________________________________________
Observations:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

IV. ASSESSMENT
Assessing the importance of Primary Sources in Understanding the Grand Narrative of Philippine History
Name & Section: _____________________________________________________________________
Instructions: Give at least three reasons why the paintings of Luna and Amorsolo are important to the grand
narrative of Philippine history.
1. __________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

V. OTHER REFERENCES:

A Collection of some of Juan Luna’s masterpieces. (2016, May 3). Retrieved from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1315/a-collection-of-some-of-juan-lunas-masterpieces
A Small Collection of Fernando Amorsolo’s paintings. (2016, May 2). Retrieved from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1372/a-small-collection-of-fernando=amorsolos-paitings
Martinez, E. (n.d.). Biography of Fernando Amorsolo. The Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation. Retrieved
from http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/the-art-of-juan-luna
Torres, E. (2004). In focus: The art of Juan Luna. Retrieved from
http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/the-art-of-juan-luna