The Battle of Lepanto (Luna painting) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Battle of Lepanto |
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| Artist | Juan Luna |
| Year | 1887 |
| Location | Palacio del Senado, Centro, Madrid |
The Battle of Lepanto (in Spanish: La Batalla de Lepanto) is a famous painting by the Filipino artist Juan Luna. He was a painter and also worked for change in his country. Juan Luna, along with Félix Resurrección Hidalgo, was one of the first Filipinos to become well-known in the world of arts and culture.
Luna finished this large painting in 1887. It shows the important Battle of Lepanto, which happened on October 7, 1571. The painting features Don Juan of Austria, a brave leader, standing at the front of a ship during the battle.
This painting is one of Luna's "huge epic artworks." His other famous large paintings include the Spoliarium and The Blood Compact.
Why This Painting Is Important
Juan Luna became very famous after winning a gold medal in 1884. This was at the Exposicion General de Bellas Artes (National Exposition of Fine Arts) in Madrid, Spain. He won for his painting called Spoliarium. Because of this, the Spanish government asked him to create more large paintings.
Luna moved to Paris, France in October 1884. But he often traveled between Paris and Madrid. He needed to paint portraits and help Filipinos who wanted changes in the Philippines. The Spanish government was in Madrid.
The Spanish Senate asked Luna to paint The Battle of Lepanto. King Alfonso XII of Spain helped make this happen. The King wanted Luna's Battle of Lepanto to hang next to another famous painting. This was La rendicion de granada (The Surrender of Granada) by Francisco Pradilla Ortiz.
Another reason for the commission was to make up for something. Luna did not get the top prize, the "Prize of Honor," for his Spoliarium painting. Many people felt he deserved it, but the judges did not give it to him because he was Filipino.
One year later, in 1888, The Battle of Lepanto also won a gold medal. This was at the Fine Arts Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. After this victory, Filipino heroes like José Rizal and Graciano Lopez Jaena praised Luna. They spoke about his great skill and his love for his country.
What the Painting Shows
Luna's The Battle of Lepanto celebrates a big victory. It shows the Spanish winning against the Turks. In November 1887, King Alfonso XII's wife, Queen Regent Maria Christina of Austria, showed Luna's painting to the public. It was displayed in the Senate Hall of Madrid, next to Pradilla's La rendición de granada.
The Battle of Lepanto was more than just a Spanish victory. It was a victory for Catholic forces against the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman forces were trying to expand their rule into Europe. A group of Catholic countries worked together to defeat them. So, this painting shows both Spanish pride and pride in their Catholic faith.
Both The Battle of Lepanto and La rendición de granada are still on display in the Madrid Senate Hall today. Queen Regent Maria Christina also gave Luna a special award. It was called the Medalla de Isabela La Católica (Medal of Elizabeth the Catholic). This was for his "outstanding service" to Spain.
See also
In Spanish: La Batalla de Lepanto (pintura) para niños
