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Rizal's Tribute to Filipino Artists

Rizal gave a speech at a dinner organized by Maximo Paterno to honor Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo's victories at the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid. In his speech, Rizal praised Luna's painting "Spoliarium" and Hidalgo's "Virgenes Cristianas" for shedding light on dark aspects of Philippine society. He stressed that change would come through the achievements of Filipino youth abroad. While grateful to Spain, Rizal also criticized those who held posts in the Philippines merely to prevent the education of Filipinos.

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Moises Centeno
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67 views1 page

Rizal's Tribute to Filipino Artists

Rizal gave a speech at a dinner organized by Maximo Paterno to honor Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo's victories at the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid. In his speech, Rizal praised Luna's painting "Spoliarium" and Hidalgo's "Virgenes Cristianas" for shedding light on dark aspects of Philippine society. He stressed that change would come through the achievements of Filipino youth abroad. While grateful to Spain, Rizal also criticized those who held posts in the Philippines merely to prevent the education of Filipinos.

Uploaded by

Moises Centeno
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Rizal’s teaching as expressed in his speech

Maximo Paterno organized a dinner to honor the success of his expatriates, Rizal gladly accepts
to give the opening toast for the dinner.

Rizal made a speech to honor the victory of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo in the National
Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid in June 25, 1884, Jose Rizal delivered a toast together with his
speech “The Brindis.” Juan Luna won first prize for his El Spoliarium, while Resurrecion Hidalgo
won the second prize for his painting Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho.

The dinner that organized by the Paternos takes place at at Restaurante Inglés and started at 9
p.m. until the time Rizal describes himself as “hungry and without money, around 60 people attended
this gathering, most of which are paisanos (compatriot) of the painters.

In his speech, Rizal stresses the reason of their gathering – which is to indicate an achievement which
enlightened what really is a dark society such as that which the painting of Luna shows. He likewise
commends Hidalgo for shedding light to the various parts of the world and that he truly respects them.
Rizal states that change shall take place through a figure of speech such as the “illustrious achievements
of [Philippines’] children are no longer consummated within the home.” Thus, to the community of
Filipinos in Madrid. Meanwhile, he also praises the Filipino youth who brought laurels to the Philippines.

Then, as he talks regarding the Spoliarium, he claims that the canvass “is not mute” amidst the shadow
and darkness. That shadow portrays the slavery, oppression, horror, and mystery going on as orphans
faced their fate. Likewise, during those times, the friars who enslave the Filipinos persecute those who
take legal action – this, Rizal claims.

On the other hand, he still proclaimed gratitude to Spain by telling that “Spain as a mother also teaches
her language to Filipinos”; however, he still does not approve of the “midgets” who acquire their posts.
This clearly shows how the elite does whatever they can to prevent Filipinos from taking a notch in their
education so that the lower classes will not be able to defend themselves.

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