JUAN LUNA
| Juan
Luna was born in Badoc, Ilocos Norte on October 23, 1857.
During his student days, he showed good interest in
paintings. In 1875, he obtained his certificate as a
pilot at the age of seventeen. He travelled in Spain in
1877, to become a specialist in the art of designing. He
entered "ESCUELA DE BALLAS ARTES" in Madrid.
Because of his exceptional ability in paintings, he was
chosen by the Philippine government to become PENSIONADO
in Europe. He was given a pension of six hundred pesos a
year, for about four years. But the Philippine government
want him to submit at least some paintings to used and to
adorn the the building of the government. Juan Luna with Alejo Vera, his teacher, travelled in the different countries of Europe. He reached ROME, ITALY and PARIS. In 1881, during the celebration in Madrid, he obtained a valuable gold medal as prize of the picture he made- " The Death of Cleopatra ." Afterwards, he was able to sell this picture for five thousand pesetas. It was the highest price, one could get for a picture. There were many paintings created bby Juan Luna, among them were " ANG ESPAņA SA PILIPINAS," "ANG ALIPING BULAG," "ANG LABANAN SA LEPANTO," and "ANG MESTISA" and other which until now many believed cannot be supassed. In 1981 , he returned to the Philippines and in 1896, he was captured and imprisoned at Fort Santiago, by the Spaniards who suspected that he had something to do with the Katipunan together with his brother Antonio Luna. In 1987, he was released. Again, he went to Spain to work for the released of his brother Antonio. After travelling in the different countries of the EAST, he got sick. This brought him to his grave on December 7, 1899. In honor of Juan Luna, a GREAT PAINTER and a PATRIOT one big city street in Manila and a School were named after him. *Juan Luna was a PRIZE WINNER in Europe for his paintings: a.) THE DEATH OF CLEOPATRA b.) THE BLOOD COMPACT c.) THE SPOLARIUM |
