Philippine E-Journals

Juan Luna A Biographical Sketch

Eufronio M. Alip

Discipline: History

 

Abstract:

In a banquet gathered in the English Restaurant, in metropolitan Madrid capital of Spain in 1884, the Filipino community present were jubilant. For the first time this community, in a very festive mood, celebrated a big event. In that gathering two young Filipino painters were being dined and toasted. One of them and the more important honoree was the 27-year old Juan Luna y Novicio; the other being Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. Juan Luna, with his masterpiece, the Spoliarium, had won the first prize gold medal in painting in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid, which was participated in by painters from Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, and many other countries of Europe. Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo had won the 9th prize with a silvermedal.