Painting is the process of adding paint, pigment, dye or other medium to a solid surface (on a paper, wall, canvas, woods, etc). The medium is usually applied to the base with a brush, although other materials, such as sponges and airbrushes, are may be used. Painters may express themselves through painting or other form of arts. It may be about their feelings, the environment, events in life, and more.
España y Filipinas by Juan Luna
"España y Filipinas" was part of our lesson, when I was in High School in our subject 'Araling Panlipunan'. It was well-explained by our teacher that's why it remained in my memory. This painting was made by a Filipino Painter, ilustrado, propagandist, and our Hero, Juan Luna.
España y Filipinas, meaning "Spain and the Philippines". It was made in 1886, an oil on wood by Juan Luna. The painting was also known as España Guiando a Filipinas ("Spain Leading the Philippines"). It is known to be one of the "permanent pieces of heritage", inherited by the Filipinos from Luna. The painting is a centerpiece of artwork in the Luna Hall of the Lopez Memorial Museum.
The painting represents the era of the colonization of the Spanish in the Philippines. The woman on the left represents the Motherland of Spain, with it's white complexion and wide strong shoulders, while the woman that carried by, is representing the "Filipinos" with the complexion that Filipinos known because of our unique skin color. Both of them are wearing a cultural dresses way back in the Spanish era here in the Philippines. The women have their backs towards a new direction. The Sun symbolizes "hope" or "new beginning". The woman on left side pointing on the direction of the sun, like it's saying that "there's always a new beginning". The Staircase symbolizes the progress, that in every step we make, we are leading it to success.
The painting shows that the Spain was leading the Philippines along the path to progress and development. It is further identified as a painting that shows the colonized country with it's former colonizer in one picture, that somehow the master carrying it's servant to new beginning.
