THE WORKS OF LUNA AND AMORSOLO

Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto: "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art"

Fernando Amorsolo (1892-1972) was a renowned Filipino portrait artist and painter of rural
landscapes. Born on May 30, 1892, in Paco, Manila, he became an apprentice to notable Philippine artist
Fabian de la Rosa, his mother’s cousin, at age thirteen. He completed his fine arts degree from the
University of the Philippines in 1914, later studying at the Escuela de San Fernando in Madrid. During his
time in Spain, Amorsolo sketched museums and street views, experimenting with light and color. A visit
to New York exposed him to postwar impressionists and cubists, major influences on his work.

After setting up a studio in Manila, Amorsolo developed his signature backlighting technique,
which became his significant contribution to Philippine painting. He was celebrated for his depictions of
Philippine rural life or "Buhay sa bukid," although some critics argued that his idealized portrayals of
happy, colorful scenes did not reflect the true hardships of Filipino life.

Amorsolo’s work also became commercialized; he often reproduced his paintings and allowed
clients to choose from versions that varied in quality based on price. His clientele included notable
figures like the Araneta family, Don Vargas, and even a young Ninoy Aquino, who commissioned a portrait
of Corazon Cojuangco.

Amorsolo continued painting until his death from a heart attack on April 24, 1972, completing over
10,000 pieces despite arthritis in his later years. Known for his vibrant sunlight effects, he disliked "sad
and gloomy" paintings and created only one rainy scene. Four days after his death, he was named the
Philippines' first National Artist for Visual Arts by President Marcos.

Notable Works and Themes

1. Women and Landscapes

Amorsolo's luminous landscapes depicted Filipino culture, customs, and rural life. His work contributed to
Filipino national identity, offering a counterpoint to American colonial influence. Trained in classical art,
he sought to create a "Philippine version" of the Greek ideal. His Filipina subjects were modeled after
family members, reflecting Filipino ideals over Western standards of beauty.
 Palay Maiden (1920): This painting reflects Amorsolo's ideal Filipina beauty with clear skin, lively
eyes, and a blunt yet strong nose. The model holds a bundle of newly harvested rice, embodying
hope for the Philippines.

 Landscape (1951): In this piece, Amorsolo accurately depicted Mt. Atimla, Mt. Kalisungan, Mt.
Banahaw de Lucban, Mt. Banahaw, and Mt. Cristobal as seen from Los Baños.
2. Sketches

 Known for his sketches, Amorsolo captured scenes of everyday life, from rural farmers to city
dwellers, often during Japanese occupation. His impressionistic tendencies came through, with
unfinished figures that suggested, rather than fully depicted, the scene.

 Reading a Letter (1933)

3. Historical Paintings and Portraits

 The Making of the Philippine Flag: This masterpiece shows Marcella Marino de Agoncillo and her
helpers creating the first Philippine flag, a task given by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
  Amorsolo also painted portraits of notable figures, including Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Don Alfredo
Jacób, Doña Pura Garchitorena Toral, and even American Senator Warren Grant Magnuson.

4. World War II-Era Works

 Defense of a Filipina Woman’s Honor: Amorsolo depicted a Filipino man defending a woman from
a Japanese soldier, capturing the nation’s wartime suffering. His wartime art portrayed the
devastation in Manila and the pain endured by Filipinos, often featuring Filipina women in
mourning.
Juan Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta

Juan Luna (1857-1899) was a celebrated Filipino painter, sculptor, and political activist during the
Philippine Revolution. Initially mentored by Don Lorenzo Guerrero, Luna traveled to Spain for advanced
studies in 1877, gaining exposure to Renaissance masters and achieving recognition through art
expositions, such as the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid. Luna's recognition as an indio
winning such a prestigious award stirred controversy at the time.

A former seaman, Luna returned to the Philippines in 1894 and joined the revolution, assisting in
designing the uniforms of the revolutionary army. He eventually died in 1899 from a heart attack in Hong
Kong while serving the first Philippine republic.

Notable Works and Themes

1. The Blood Compact

 This painting depicts the 1565 Sandugo ritual between Datu Sikatuna of Bohol and Spanish
conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. Created during Luna’s studies in Rome, it is one of three
paintings Luna gifted to the Spanish government.
2. España y Filipinas (Spain and the Philippines)

 This 1886 allegorical painting represents the relationship between Spain and the Philippines, with
the two women symbolizing hope for reform, modernization, and equality. It remains a central
piece at the Luna Hall of the Lopez Memorial Museum.

3. Las Damas Romanas (The Roman Maidens)

 Painted in 1882, this work portrays a domestic scene of two Roman women with symbolic doves
representing divinity. The background includes artifacts and a shrine, adding a layer of Roman
culture.


4. Spoliarium

 Luna’s renowned Spoliarium depicts fallen gladiators dragged from the Roman arena, symbolizing
the oppression of Filipinos. This 1884 masterpiece won a gold medal at the Madrid Exposition and
remains a significant national symbol, hanging in the National Museum of the Philippines. Dr.
Jose Rizal interpreted it as a powerful portrayal of Filipino suffering under colonial rule.

5. The Death of Cleopatra

 This 1881 painting, Luna’s first award-winning work, shows Cleopatra's final moments, attended
by her loyal servants. The masterpiece secured Luna a scholarship and later sold for a record
price.
The works of Fernando Amorsolo and Juan Luna are relevant for their deep contributions to
Philippine identity, history, and art, each artist bringing unique insights into Filipino culture,
national pride, and the colonial experience:

1. Cultural Identity and National Pride

Amorsolo: Through his rural landscapes and portrayals of Filipino women, Amorsolo
created idealized images of Philippine life. His works reinforced the beauty of Filipino
traditions, culture, and people, which served as a counter-narrative to colonial depictions
of the Philippines as a "primitive" or "underdeveloped" nation.

Luna: Luna's historical paintings, such as Spoliarium and The Blood Compact, highlight
key moments of resistance, unity, and the desire for independence. His works inspired
pride and solidarity among Filipinos, especially during times of colonial oppression.

2. Historical and Political Relevance

Amorsolo: His World War II-era works depicted the resilience of Filipinos under Japanese
occupation, documenting the hardships and horrors of war from a uniquely Filipino
perspective. This historical focus helped preserve the memory of wartime experiences for
future generations.

Luna: Luna’s paintings carried a strong political message, particularly in Spoliarium, which
allegorically represented the oppression and struggles of Filipinos under Spanish rule. His
works resonated with nationalists and reformists who sought independence and reform
from colonial rule.

3. Artistic Innovation and Contribution to Philippine Art

Amorsolo: Known for his use of light, Amorsolo developed a backlighting technique that
became his signature and greatly influenced Filipino art, setting a standard for Philippine
painting that celebrated tropical sunlight and vibrant landscapes.

Luna: Luna brought European artistic techniques and styles to the Philippines, blending
classical influences with local themes. His success abroad, especially with Spoliarium,
brought international recognition to Filipino art, showing that Filipinos could excel in
global artistic arenas.

4. Symbols of Resistance and Inspiration

Both artists used their work as tools for social commentary and national consciousness.
Amorsolo’s depiction of a harmonious, ideal Philippines, even in the face of hardship,
encouraged a sense of pride and resilience. Luna’s historical works, rich in symbolism,
inspired a generation of Filipinos to recognize their shared history and struggle for
freedom.