Luna, Juan (1857-1899), was the most important Filipino painter of the 1800’s. He was the first artist from his country to become well known outside the Philippines.
Luna painted in the grand manner of the French Academy of his time. He painted literary and historical scenes. His work dealt with such themes as maidens symbolizing nations, and Roman lovers in theatrical poses. He was appreciated for his confident and forceful brushwork.
Luna was born on Oct. 23, 1857, in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He studied at the nautical school in Manila before enrolling at the Academy of Fine Arts. In 1877, he went to Spain and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Madrid. He traveled to Rome in 1878 and was influenced by Italian artists. At the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid, Luna won a gold medal in 1881 for his historical painting The Death of Cleopatra. He won another gold medal at the exposition in 1884 for his huge canvas Spolarium, depicting Roman gladiators.
In 1892, Luna accused his wife of being unfaithful to him. In a fit of jealousy, he shot his wife and her mother dead at their Paris residence. A French court acquitted him of murder, on the grounds that his act was “in defense of his honor.” Luna returned to the Philippines in 1894. He died in Hong Kong on Dec. 7, 1899.
