Answers to Readings in Philippine History (RIPH) Exercise 2.5 PDF

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RIPH Exercise 2.Name: Date: Course & Year: Score:Instruction: Give a concise explanation/discussion on the following items.A. SITUATE ART OBJECT IN HISTORICAL CONTEXTPainting given focus: Spoliarium by Juan Luna1. What do you know about the period of the painting?(Include in the discussion follo...

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RIPH Exercise 2.5 Name: Course & Year:

Date: Score:

Instruction: Give a concise explanation/discussion on the following items. A. SITUATE ART OBJECT IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Painting given focus: Spoliarium by Juan Luna

1. What do you know about the period of the painting? (Include in the discussion following: biographical data of the artist, information about how the painting was received in its time, and important social, political and economic constructs of the time) Juan Luna y Novicio is a Filipino artist who was born on October 23, 1857 in the town of Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He is the most famous artist in the history of the Philippines. His arts are centered in romanticism and realism. Luna is also an influential political activist and an active participant in the Philippine revolution that took place in the late 19th century. It was in March 1884, in Rome, when Luna had completed his masterpiece: the Spoliarium. During this time, Luna’s work had gained much recognition. Luna won different awards for his painting. In the context of patriotism, this painting had satisfied the needs of the Filipinos for a nationalistic symbolism which actually helped them rise up against the oppression of the Spanish colonizers. The painting’s title is meant as the basement where the dead gladiators are dumped. It portrays the social, political, and economic constructs of the time. In the period of brutality and maltreatment when life was given the littlest importance and had been the subject of entertainment for Romans. 2. What are the qualities profound in the painting that shows the skill of the artist in replicating reality? Juan Luna is one of the artists who believed in the huge impacts of art in shaping the society. He applied his outstanding skills in painting through wisely utilizing themes, elements of arts, and principles of design in creating his masterpiece. In particular, Luna depicted a catastrophe in his painting: Spoliarium. It is through the effective use of lines, shapes, light, and space that he was able to portray emotions and message to the viewers. It is of most significance that through his work of art, he was and still is able to raise awareness about the memories that we shan’t forget, our

ancestors’ struggles that we should acknowledge, and the bravery the we should remember. 3. What evidences can you provide to support your main claim on the important depiction of the painting? Spoliarium is a symbol of our social, moral, and political life: the injustices, prejudices, and immorality. One of the evidences that affirms this important depiction is the interpretation of Lopez-Jaena about the painting. He stated that “behind the canvas, behind the painted figures… there floats the living image of the Filipino people sighing its misfortune. Because… the Philippines is nothing more than a real ‘Spoliarium’ with all its horrors." Moreover, in the article “The Spoliarium” by Nicole Co, she stated that “The Spoliarium represents various emotions being portrayed especially during that period wherein people are too brutal and vicious to value the importance of life”. This painting also portrays memories that we should not forget. This is evidenced by the present circumstances; it can be observed of how this depiction which was observed in the past repeats itself. The fighting which never left the human desire, the corruption, and other injustices and immorality of today....