JUAN LUNA – In this topic, we will now talk about one of the Philippine heroes who is also a famous Filipino painter: Juan Luna.
Also known in his full name as Juan Luna y Novicio, again, he is a painter, sculptor and an activist in the Philippine Revolution. He was born on October 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos.
He is third among the seven children of Joaquín Posadas Luna and Laureana Ancheta Novicio-Luna, where another one of their offspring will also become one of the fiercest generals we know today.
Here are some of the interesting facts about the Filipino painter.
1. The painter’s family
Luna married Paz Pardo de Tavera y Gorricho also known as “Chiching” and bore two children: Andres Luna San Pedro and Maria de la Paz.
2. His brother who influenced him to paint
Although he is excellent in painting and drawing, he is actually influenced by his brother Manuel, who, according to Jose Rizal himself, is way better in painting than Juan.
3. He was a sailor
Aside from having a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now Ateneo de Manila University), he also enrolled at Escuela Nautica de Manila where he became a sailor.
4. His brush strokes had Luna discharged from the Academy
He enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts and was taught and influenced by Spanish artist Agustin Saez. Saez, howver, was displeased by Luna’s vigorous brush strokes which had Luna discharged from the academy.
5. A friend of the King of Spain
Because of his extraordinary skills in painting, he became a friend of the King of Spain who also happen to be an art enthusiast.
6. The Spoliarium
This is the painting that made him won the first ever Gold Medal at the Expocision Nacional de Bellas Artes in Spain. The painter who won second place was his fellow painter Felix Resureccion Hidalgo who painted “Antiogue”.
7. He killed his wife out of jealousy
Jealous, Luna had a fit and accused his wife Paz of cheating Luna with surgeon Monssieur Dussaq. He then killed his wife and mother-in-law. Felix, his brother-in-law was wounded. The same hands he used in making wonderful paintings also became a tool for murder.
