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Rizal and Art – José Rizal and Juan Luna

Magkaisa draws on its rich German-Filipino heritage of resilience, strength and dependability and is honored to provide insights of the relation between Germany and the Philippines during the time of the National Hero of the Philippines, Dr. José Rizal.

This time we take a closer look and quote of the relation and the words of José Rizal on the Philippine National Artist Juan Luna, when Rizal resided in Madrid in Spain from 1882 to 1885 before leaving to Paris in France  and afterwards travelling via Heidelberg and Wilhelmsfeld to Berlin (all in Germany).

Rizal's Salute to Luna and HidalgoAt the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid in 1984, both Luna and Hidalgo won signal honors for their country. They entered this art competition against many painters in Europe, and emerged triumphant. Luna´s canvas “Spoliarium” won first prize (gold medal)…In Spoliarium, through the canvas that is not mute, can be heard the tumult of the multitude, the shouting of the slaves, the metallic creaking of the armor of the corpses, the sobs of the bereaved, the murmurs of prayer, with such vigor and realism as one hears the din of thunder in the midst of the crash of the cataracts, or the impressive and dreadful tremor of the earthquake. (Quotes from José Rizal by Gregorio Zaide and from Rizal's Writing, National Historical Institute, Manila)


Photo: Madrid, unknown, Wikimedia -Photos: Basilio and Crispin, San Diego townsfolk, both from The Visual Traveller Photo: Rizal Statue in Wilhelmsfeld by Klaus W. Hartung, Consulting

Artwork “Rizal”  by late Rene Robles, 90 cm x 90 cmArtwork “José Rizal” by James Axel Carina Azanes, 30 cm x 21 cm












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