Dr Andreas (Tom) Zanker (University of Western Australia) – “Tales from the Tropical Gothic”: Juan Luna, the Philippines, and Ilustrado Classicism

The painter Juan Luna (1857-1899) occupies a central position in the cultural history of the Philippines. As one of the most prominent ilustrados (“enlightened ones”), Luna utilized classical themes in his art for a range of purposes. In this talk, I consider Luna’s status as an exponent of ilustrado classicism from two different perspectives. I first discuss Luna’s background and relationship with José Rizal (1861-1896), the de facto national hero of the Philippines, and comment on some of Luna’s paintings (e.g. Spoliarium and Hymen, oh Hyménée!). I then consider how Luna’s classicism, and that of his ilustrado compatriots, is reflected in Nick Joaquin’s play, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (1950). Here, we observe an ageing ilustrado painter (similar to Luna) immediately prior to the destruction of old Manila in the Second World War. His final painting, a double self-portrait, shows himself as both Aeneas and Anchises escaping the flames of Troy, without an Ascanius.