Propaganda in Art: The Juan Luna Paintings PDF

THE PROPAGANDA IN ART The Juan Luna HISTORICAL CONTEXT Spain in the 19th Century French invasion of 1808 – Headed by Napoleon Bonaparte – Introduction of...

THE PROPAGANDA IN ART The Juan Luna HISTORICAL CONTEXT Spain in the 19th Century French invasion of 1808 – Headed by Napoleon Bonaparte – Introduction of liberal ideas Spain in the 19th Century Mexican independence in 1821 – South American Spanish colonies fell into the hands of reformers and revolutionaries who declared the independence of these colonies After the defeat of the French… (1813) Spanish authorities had to rethink what had been left of their colonies around the world – Philippines (the remotest colony they had) was still within the Spanish orbit without any clamor for independence by the middle of 1800. – In 1841, under the reign of Queen Isabela II, the Spanish government sent SINIBALDO DE MAS Investigated the condition of the Philippines Arrived in Manila in 1841 – He was not well-received because his job might uncover the irregularities in the colonial government. – He travelled around the colony and went back to Spain in 1842 INFOR ME The laws of a republic must have a purpose: – Keep the islands as Colony forever: 1. The Spaniards born in the Philippines must be reduced; 2. The colored population must voluntarily respect and obey the whites; 3. The administration must DE MAS: Emancipation of the Philippines Reform in the economy Reform in the political administration – Predominance of the friars’ rule that superseded the civil administration De Mas: “I think it would be infinitely much easier, more useful and more glorious for us to achieve the merit of the work, by  EUROPE: Crossroads Spain was under pressure: – Either to adopt a purely democratic government without a king or have a king under a constitutional monarchy after the invasion of France in 1808 Joseph Bonaparte – headed the puppet government; brother of Napoleon Bonaparte,  SPAIN: After the invasion of France in 1808 Spain was under the tug and pull of two parties: the liberals and the conservatives The return of Ferdinand VII – He handed over the reign to his daughter Queen Isabela II in 1833 Spain plunged into a civil war (Revolution of 1868) which deposed Queen Isabela II. Spain adopted a government without a monarch – Alfonso XII the son of Queen Isabella II was reinstituted in 1874 – Alfonso XIII (an infant)/ his mother as regent, Queen ILUSTRAD OS GRACIANO LOPEZ-JAENA (1880) – Drew the ire of the friars when he wrote Fray Botod in which he pictured them as stout, figuratively meaning corrupt, abusive, and immoral. – Ex-seminarian from Seminario de Jaro – He studied medicine at Universidad de Valencia but transferred to Madrid. – Rather than studying medicine, he engaged himself in public speaking arguing among Spanish friars and politicians the need to reform the ILUSTRAD OS (1882) – JOSE P. RIZAL arrived in Spain to pursue further medical studies – By that year, it is well agreed that the reform agenda was not about independence, but the change of status through legislative or policy shift from colony to province. – This would mean full assimilation of the Philippines to Spain. This way, Indios will become Spanish citizens and they can be afforded to select their representatives to the Spanish Cortez. REFORM AGENDA The reform agenda through propaganda – Through publication intended for Spanish legislators, politicians and bureaucrats who could be swayed into crafting a law for the Philippines to change its status. – Target: The Liberals – Idea: Expose to Spain what really was happening in the Philippines