The bust of National Hero and painter Juan Luna, one of the prized collections of UST Museum, is part of the exhibit entitled “Splendor: Juan Luna, Painter as Hero”, which was formally opened to the public on 125th Independence Day celebration, June 12, 2023 at the Ayala Museum.
Along with the recently resurfaced painting of Luna, “Hymen, oh Hyménée”, the said Luna bust is on temporary loan for the duration of the exhibit until December 30, 2023. Previously on display at the UST Museum’s Visual Arts Hall, the bronze-painted plaster bust was chiseled in 1884; it is attributed to Spanish sculptor Mariano Benlliure, a close friend of Luna.
The UST Museum obtained the bust from renowned art collector Don Alfonso T. Ongpin in 1958.
Meanwhile, the centerpiece of the exhibit that depicts a classical Roman wedding was acquired by Jaime Ponce de Leon from a certain aristocrat in Europe after years of searching.
Ayala Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibit is a brainchild of Ayala Museum and Leon Gallery.
