Juan Luna’s masterpiece
“Genius has no country. It blossoms everywhere. Genius is like the light, the air. It is the heritage of all.”
— Dr. Jose Rizal’s toast to Luna and Hidalgo, 1884, Caf? Ingles
On Independence Day, the Ayala Museum welcomed huge crowds of art enthusiasts of diverse backgrounds and ages. Everyone wanted to see and experience the exhibit Splendor: Juan Luna, Painter as Hero, the multi-media presentation of his masterpiece, Hymen, oh Hym?n?e.
There was an overwhelming response.
Most of the viewers were young — teenagers, students, and some children. They gazed at the awesome painting and enjoyed going around the old-world mansion’s maze of rooms with sketches and small paintings.
The exhibit’s production design is interesting and stunning. It evokes mystery and moods.
The framed doorways lead to hallways and rooms with textured walls and drawings. One finds an open space with Luna’s bust on a pedestal with flowers.
On June 12th, the energy level of the viewers was very high and palpable.
“I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the 125th year of the birth of our nation than by seeing the painting — in the wonderful immersive and thought-provoking exhibition Splendor. You will be overpowered by its beauty and importance in our present times,” remarked Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, Leon Gallery curator.
The art lovers and media have written glowing praises about the repatriation and unveiling of Juan Luna’s missing masterpiece Hymen, oh Hym?n?e (which is 125 by 250.5 centimeters).
The story of this painting is amazing.
Juan Luna had won the gold medal for the huge painting Spoliarium at the Exposici?n Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid in 1884. He was already a well-known artist.
(Spoliarium is now on permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the Philippines.)
The artist married Paz Pardo de Tavera on Dec. 8, 1886. He started painting Hymen, oh Hym?n?e during his honeymoon in Rome and Venice in December 1886. He finished it in 1887.
He submitted it (as part of the Spanish exhibit) in the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1889, the international event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated during that celebration.
Paris was considered Ground Zero for art.
Luna’s exquisite painting won the bronze medal, considered the greatest award ever given to a painting by a Filipino. This competition was “the Olympics of Art.”
The prestigious award put Luna in “the pantheon of the greatest artists of the world,” explained historian Ambeth Ocampo. “Hymen, oh Hym?n?e is the greatest art discovery in Philippine history.”
The title comes from Hymen, the Roman God of marriage. The painting, also known as Boda Romana (Roman Wedding), has many details of rituals that we have picked up as part of the wedding tradition.
Hymen was one of Luna’s favorite paintings. It was his prized personal possession that was not meant for public viewing. He brought it with him to Hong Kong where he suddenly passed in 1899. The painting vanished mysteriously. It was acquired by a European family in 1920. It was not seen in public for 132 years.
After many years of searching, distinguished collectors tried to buy it but failed. Leon Gallery owner Jaime Ponce de Le?n painstakingly tracked it down. In 2014, he was invited to an aristocratic European’s “lordly mansion.” The family was willing to sell. It had been a long search. It took three years to authenticate the artwork and complete the sale. Mr. Ponce de Le?n bought the “priceless” painting and brought home what is considered the “Holy Grail of Philippine art.”
After seven months of preparation with the Ayala Foundation, the Ayala Museum and its curators, the breathtaking masterpiece was ready to be unveiled. The grand vernissage was memorable, elegant, and well-attended.
One acknowledges the following for the exhibit: the Ayala Corp., the Ayala Foundation, Inc., Ayala Land, Inc., InLife, BPI, SMEG, Matimco, Inc., Samsung, BPI Foundation, Leon Gallery, Martin Arnaldo, Monino Duque, Gino Gonzalez, Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, Ambeth Ocampo, Ditas R. Samson, and Jason Y. Tecson.
Jaime Ponce de Le?n explained in his speech: “It was, I thought, the greatest painting that didn’t exist. … it was a race to find it, but a race where no one would share the map to the ‘Grail.’ The dream of finding it would thus become a tireless obsession.
“Beyond the splendor and magnificence of this masterpiece is its true meaning and intention. Above all, this work is a testament and a monument to love.
“The time has come to unbox the ‘Grail.’ The mystery has been solved. It has been found.”
He called Juan Luna y Novicio, one of the nation’s “greatest architects alongside Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio.
“Through his brush and his palette, Luna spoke to the world of what it means to be a Filipino. And because of that, he was able to move mountains and helped create a nation.”
Congratulations to Jaime Ponce de Leon for bringing the masterpiece home and sharing it with the Filipinos.
Mabuhay!
Hymen, oh Hym?n?e is on loan to Ayala Museum until Dec. 31.
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.
