Juan Luna's Hymen Oh Hymenée

Hymen Oh Hymenée (or Boda Romana), 1886-1887

No one knew where this painting was after it was sold around the 1930s. Before then it was part of Luna’s private collection. For Jaime Ponce de Leon, owner of Leon Gallery in Metro Manila, it had become an obsession to find this missing masterpiece which had won the bronze medal at the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris where it was last seen in public. More than a century later, in 2014, Ponce de Leon got a call to appear at a certain address in Europe which he heeded. And there it was, the “Grail of Philippine Art”, for his eyes to behold. Ponce de Leon bought the painting, had it shipped to the Philippines and kept it stored it in a crate for a few more years until it was revealed to the public at the Ayala Museum in 2023. What a journey this painting has taken! Finally Juan Luna’s depiction of his wedding to Paz Pardo de Tavera was brought to light.

The Bride

Juan Luna is nowhere to be seen in this painting. But his marks are everywhere from the passionate colors to the gleaming marble floors to his quick and fluid brushstrokes. His bride is shown being led to the groom’s chamber. She’s set apart from the rest of the wedding party, looking a bit dazed.

Photograph of the painting

Notice the tortoise on the floor. It’s symbolic of a happy and submissive bride in her own home.

Señora Duquesa Viuda de Medinaceli

If you look closely at the woman leading the bride in the bridal procession, you will notice that her hair has the same headpiece as the Señora Duquesa.

The Bridesmaids

It was quite a wedding with ten fashionably dressed bridesmaids portrayed in dynamic and candid poses. The lavishly decorated courtyard is strewn with garlands and flowers. Can you imagine the scent of incense smoke as it trails in the air? Are the sheep gifts to the bride and groom or are they going to be on the dinner menu? This viewer is begging for answers.

A study of one of the bridesmaids

Close-up view of the Wedding Party

Paz Pardo de Tavera, the bride of Juan Luna

Luna painted this scene during their honeymoon in Venice. Hymen, Oh Hymenée is an invocation to Hymen, the Roman god of marriage for a harmonious union. Alas their love story ended on a tragic note. Luna shot his wife and mother-in-law in a fit of jealousy, believing his wife was unfaithful to him. Luna was later acquitted of the murder charges filed against him on the grounds that it was a crime of passion.

Juan Luna, 1857-1899

The exhibition Splendor: Juan Luna, Painter as Hero has ended but you can check this video to learn more about Hymen, Oh Hymenée: https://youtu.be/o-iQr73KnN4?feature=shared

Follow the link below to view the highly acclaimed and awarded painting, Spoliarium by Juan Luna and other masterpieces at the National Museum of the Philippines: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2018/05/masterpieces-from-national-museum-of.html

Stay connected

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

The Fairy Tale Town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber has been on my travel bucket list for years. And I finally got there last November. It is an enchanting place. With its half-timbered houses, clock towers, colorful façades, schneeballs and beer steins, Rothenburg ODT oozes with medieval charm. It's no surprise that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I was partially filmed in Rothenburg ODT. This is a common dilemma in Rothenburg ODT. Which direction to take? It's hard to choose because every cobblestone street seems to be competing for the best dressed street award. And they are all winners in my book. After walking half a day, an inviting table for two with colorful flowers to warm a cold November day. I love how these two half-timbered buildings anchor a street that leads to another intriguing square. The Plönlein (Little Square) is the most photographed square in Rothenburg ODT. But I found more picturesque neighborhoods than this. That's ...

Midnight in Paris Movie Locations

It's not often I watch a movie but on a long flight home late last year, I had the chance to watch Midnight in Paris and was totally captivated by its plot. Can you imagine time traveling to the era of Fitzgerald and Hemingway, Picasso and Dali, Gauguin and Toulouse Lautrec? It was therefore such a treat to be in Paris and be able to see a couple of the locations from the movie. Had so much fun figuring out where the Peugeot came from to pick up Gil (Owen Wilson) and take him back to the Jazz Age. Rue Galande Rue Galande is a narrow street lined with boutiques with engaging window displays. Notice the giant flea sculpture above one of the shops. This location was shown at the beginning of the film. Interestingly enough, Rue Galande is a stone's throw from the bouquinistes along the Seine and across from the Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris. The Steps of St. Etienne du Mont This is where Gil was sitting, a little disoriented, when the Pe...

Casapueblo and Carlos Páez Vilaró

Casapueblo, Punta Ballena Just a few minutes from the popular beach destination of Punta del Este is Casapueblo which sits on the edge of a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. If you're staying at the hotel, then you're in for a big treat. Imagine the view of the blue ocean made more dazzling by the sun. But that's not all. There's also an art gallery and museum next door which displays the artistic works of Carlos Páez Vilaró who also designed Casapueblo, his permanent home and studio. Casapueblo reminds one of the Greek isles at first glimpse. But it isn't that simple. Look closely and you'll find the influence of Gaudi in the architecture which Vilaró himself built with no plans. There are no straight lines. The interior has many passages and narrow stairs leading to enchanting rooms, everyone of which is different from the other. Notice the curving lines and the rooftops with their pointed concrete posts. Vilaró liked his house to a hornero's (ovenbird...

TravelswithCharie

Search This Blog