Juan Luna

Juan Luna

Spoliarium, 1884,
The Death of Cleopatra, 1881
El Pacto de Sangre, 1884
La Batalla de Lepanto, 1887
The Parisian Life, 1892

in museums:

• National Museum of the Philippines
• Ayala Museum
• Metropolitan Museum of Manila
• Lopez Museum
• Government Service Insurance System
• Malacañan Palace

Juan Luna y Novicio (October 23, 1857 — December 7, 1899) was an Ilocano Filipino painter, sculptor and a political activist of the Philippine Revolution during the late 19th century. He became one of the first recognized Philippine artists.

His winning the gold medal in the 1884 Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts, along with the silver win of fellow Filipino painter Félix Resurrección Hidalgo, prompted a celebration which was a major highlight in the memoirs of members of the Propaganda Movement, with the fellow Ilustrados toasting to the two painters' good health and to the brotherhood between Spain and the Philippines.

Regarded for work done in the manner of the Spanish and French academies of his time, Luna painted literary and historical scenes, some with an underscore of political commentary. His allegorical works were inspired with classical balance, and often showed figures in theatrical poses.