Allégories de la défaite chez deux peintres philippins : Spoliarium (1884) de Juan Luna et Las vírgenes cristianas expuestas al populacho (1884) de Félix Hidalgo»

Abstract

Two oils on canvas by young Filipino painters won medals and gained recognition in the 1884 Madrid National Exhibition of Fine Arts: today’s most famous Filipino artwork Spoliarium by Juan Luna y Novicio (1857-1899) and Las vírgenes cristianas expuestas al populacho by Félix Resurrección Hidalgo (1855-1913). Both feature defeated characters in Ancient Rome, in the neoclassical style that was then very popular in Spanish salons. This essay focuses, first, on the representation of defeat, and second, on its reception in 1884 by Filipino ilustrados in Spain. The defeated characters were interpreted as critical allegories against colonial order by the ilustrado Propaganda Movement, nowadays considered as one of the first demonstrations of a Filipino national consciousnes. Not only did the Propaganda Movement strive to expose their views and claims about the colonial system, but they also sought for sympathy from Spanish public opinion. Actually, interpreting the two paintings as allegories of defeat shows their quest for Spanish recognition and acceptance.