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Saturday, February 15, 2003
P46M Luna painting soon in Iloilo
By Mary Ann M. Fortaleza
REMEMBER the very controversial Luna Painting bought by the Government Insurance Services System (GSIS)?
Yes, the 110 yr. old" Parisian Life" Painting of Juan Luna is soon arriving in Iloilo!
This will be the second time the painting is displayed outside Manila since it was brought home (Philippines), from Christie's Auction in Hong Kong by GSIS President and General Manager Winston Garcia, hence it was first presented at SM City Cebu.
The GSIS incorporation with SM CITY Iloilo, will be having an exhibit of Juan Luna's painting "Parisian Life" starting February 25- March 2, 2003 at the 2nd level of SM City, near Informatics Institute.
A conference with GSIS Museum director Eric Zerrudo is also open to all the guests on the same dates every 10 AM, 2,4 and 6 PM. Questions regarding the painting will be entertained during the open forum.
Visualization and essence of Parisian Life
The Christie's Catalogue describes Parisian life painting as "the best features of the artist's work from the Parisian period, testifying to his sensitivity and skill in capturing a fleeting moment of ordinary life, imbuing it with personality and universal emotions."
The Parisian life painting, which measures 22x23 inches (57x79 cm.) and was valued at Hong Kong $6 M, or P45.5 M, is a long lost painting and is one of the six known paintings of our Filipino artist Juan Luna during his final year in Paris. Scholars interpreted the painting in 1892 as a visualization of Filipino patriots' concern to Motherland.
Jose Rizal, Juan Luna himself, and Arison Bautista, on the left background can be seen discussing a beautiful lady, who is obviously unsettled with a blank stare seated awkwardly on the couch, on the foreground. A deeper reflection reveals that the lady is an exact mirror image of the Philippine map. It is as well a reflection of the "spirit of our social, moral and spiritual life, humanity subjected to trials unredeemed, reason in open fight and prejudice, fanaticism and injustice.
With Rizal at the right side of the map, was discussing to his friends the turbulent state of the Philippines in 1892, advent of the Philippine Revolution. Luna however, painted the image for prosperity, to inspire the next generations of their deep and continued concern to our mother land.
The painting also shows that the three men, who are great heroes of our country, are celebrating their last moments of friendship before they heed to the call of their individual destinies, which is to play out their roles in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish invaders.
Why did GSIS purchased and should own the painting?
GSIS President Winston Garcia believed that the GSIS is not here just to insure government workers and government assets, but also to insure our national heritage.
The facts provided by the GSIS states that GSIS should purchase the "Parisian Life" by Juan Luna because the GSIS has the Museum of Art established in 1996 that services 200,000 students and visitors a year, free of charge and that the painter himself is the first Filipino to win an international award with his "Spoliarium" in 1884 Exposition in Madrid. Most importantly, the painting features personages that influenced the course of the Philippine history. The high price of the painting however is attributed to its intrinsic value. The significance in terms of education and appreciation, and patriotism and patrimony were very important factors to consider in purchasing a painting.
The GSIS moreover insist that they have the privilege to own the "Parisian Life" because they had the available resources to purchase the painting, without jeopardizing the pension fund and have a very stable and fortified portfolio fund. The GSIS, through its Museum that houses art pieces of very high aesthetic and historical significance, supports the conservation and promotion of the country's cultural heritage, together with other institutions, such as the National Museum and the National Historical Institute.
Ilonggos are all invited to see the real beauty of our very own Filipino painter and hero Juan Luna's masterpiece.
Be there on February 25- March 5, 2003 at the second level Of SM City and appreciate the only "Parisian Life" which we can only seen by our own eyes once in a lifetime. Parisian Life, one the remnants of our past. A masterpiece, which we can be proud of, today and in the future.
(February 14, 2003 issue)
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