Cover The National Museum of the Philippines has unveiled the limited-edition Spoliarium beep card (Photo: Manny Hernandez)
The National Museum of the Philippines has unveiled the limited-edition Spoliarium beep card (Photo: Manny Hernandez)
1 / 1
Marking the 140th year of Juan Luna's ‘Spoliarium’, the National Museum of the Philippines released a limited edition beep card that showcases the artist’s acclaimed work. We list fun facts about this painting
This week, the National Museum of the Philippines released a limited-edition beep card featuring Juan Luna's award-winning Spoliarium. The public can purchase the product at the museum shop located in Osmeña Hall on the second floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Ermita, Manila.
The beep cards are sold for PhP500 (without the load) from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm while supplies last. The museum also sells keychains, button pins, candles, magnets, tote bags, and mugs featuring images of Spoliarium.
In case you missed it: Mad or Genius? 7 of Juan Luna's Most Intriguing Works and Their Meaning
1. It was painted in 1884
Above Juan Luna's 1884 Spoliarium (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Juan Luna's 1884 Spoliarium (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
1 / 1
Inside the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila, the gigantic Spoliarium painting welcomes visitors. Luna spent eight months completing this artwork, which he submitted to the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884 in Madrid, where it won the first gold medal.
See also: Jaime Ponce de Leon reveals to the public Juan Luna’s long-lost masterpiece
2. The largest recorded painting in the Philippines
Above With a size of 4.2 x 7.6 metres, it is the largest oil painting on canvas in the Philippines (Photo: National Museum of the Philippines)
With a size of 4.2 x 7.6 metres, it is the largest oil painting on canvas in the Philippines (Photo: National Museum of the Philippines)
1 / 1
The Spoliarium is the largest painting in the Philippines, measuring 13.8 feet by 25.18 feet. According to experts, Luna painted this to inspire his fellow Filipinos during the Spanish regime, which lasted for 333 years.
The Spoliarium used to be in the lobby of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Building along Padre Faura Street (now the Department of Justice Building). As a gift from Spain, it was shipped back to the Philippines in 1958 and had to be sliced to three pieces because of its size. Artist Antonio Dumlao restored it, and it was unveiled in 1962 at the Hall of Flags of the DFA. In 1982, the painting underwent another restoration by Suzanno “Jun” Gonzalez and was eventually moved to its present location at the National Museum.
3. There is a boceto or smaller, mock-up version of Spoliarium
A boceto (mockup) of the Spoliarium surfaced during a private event at Salcedo Auctions in 2018. In an interview with Rappler, director Richie Lerma claimed that what they have is the “first and original version” of the piece.
He also stressed that no one has yet to show any evidence to disprove that the boceto in question is not authentic.
4. Recreated on-screen for ‘Heneral Luna’ (2015)
Juan Luna's iconic painting Spoliarium was recreated on-screen for 'Heneral Luna' (Photo: TBA Studios)
1 / 2
Before Jerrold Tarog's 2015 film Heneral Luna ended, the cast paid homage to Luna by recreating his Spoliarium on-screen.
5. Filipinos were on a verge of revolution upon seeing the ‘Spoliarium’
Above Filipino hero Jose Rizal (Photo: Britannica)
Filipino hero Jose Rizal (Photo: Britannica)
1 / 1
The initial reception of the Filipinos to the Spoliarium is not surprising. According to critic Eric Torres, the painting left most people on the verge of revolution. Jose Rizal, for instance, interpreted the painting as a “symbol of our social, moral, and political life—humanity unredeemed, reason and aspiration in open fight with prejudice, fanaticism, and injustice.”
NOW READ
The quest for ‘Hymen, oh Hymenee’ by Juan Luna
LOOK: Cebu’s National Museum opens this August
5 Things to Know About The National Museum of the Philippines
Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
