The Spoliarium. A painting created by the world famous painter himself, Juan Luna. This masterpiece received praise from distinguished Filipino individuals such as our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal himself, who called the work of art “The Glorification of Genius.” This work of art is currently displayed to this day at the entrance of the National Museum of Fine Arts. It was created in 1884, almost a decade and a half before the end of Spanish rule over the Philippines. Of all the artworks in the National Museum of Fine Arts, a Spoliarium by Juan Luna struck me the most. In this essay I will reflect on what was depicted in the scene and why. In addition, it is important to emphasize the essence of its symbolism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The scene depicted is a continuation of the bloody carnage of gladiator fights where warriors are stripped of their glory for the entertainment of their Roman oppressors. It represented what our nation was like at that time when we were under the tyrannical regime of the Spanish. As seen in the painting, the dead soldiers were dragged away to the spoliarium, the basement of the Colosseum. Their blood spattered the ground as they were dragged across the floor by Roman soldiers. To the left you see a horde of people, eagerly awaiting the chance to strip what remains of the dead warrior's body. On the right there is a gloomy atmosphere. There sat a woman on the floor, apparently crying from the anguish and pain of a lost loved one. Behind her, in the darkness, is an old man holding a flashlight, presumably looking for his son. This piece was known for its depiction of our nation at the time; mirroring the warriors enslaved by their Roman oppressors, just as we were enslaved by our Spanish colonizers. The colors used in this composition are striking and unique, the use of red and warm colors complement each other. The dark tones in the corners and the light tones in the center highlight the fallen warriors. One of the reasons this artwork is important is because of its symbolism. Unquestionably the composition proves an unfortunate occasion. However, I realized that it also had a deeper importance, particularly for Filipinos who had experienced Spanish colonization firsthand. Comparing the composition with historical events, the fallen warriors dragged into the scene are the Filipino people, while the men dragging them are the embodiment of Spanish tyranny. The horde of people crowding on the left side represents the social evil of the time. Undoubtedly, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Spolarium. It shows us the memory of individuals living in time during the oppression of an overlord. A collusion of anachronistic, political and neoclassical fragments put together to make us perceive the unprecedented. At the same time, to appreciate the honor and courage of our people who fought for the freedom of our nation. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, this artwork is inspiring, because it does not shy away from the realistic depiction of the suffering endured and does not romanticize the torture that can now be seen not only in the painting, but also in the world around us.