The Holy Grail of Philippine Artworks
by Greta C.
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Hymen, oh Hyménée!, also called Boda Romana, is a famous painting made by the Filipino Artist named Juan Luna. He started working on this painting during his honeymoon in Venice, after his wedding with Paz Pardo de Tavera. Luna submitted his work to the Exposition Universelle in 1889 in Paris, France, receiving a bronze medal.
After 1889, the painting stayed with Luna until his death in 1899, Hong Kong. After his death, the painting’s whereabouts remained unknown. In 1920, a Spanish aristocratic family possessed the painting. But later, in 1970, the painting was found again when the Philippine collector Eleuterio Pascual rediscovered it. He told the European family that he was interested in buying the painting, but the family declined his offer.
Finally, in 2014, Jamie Ponce de Leon (the founder of the Philippine-based auction house León Gallery), retrieved the painting from the heirs of said European family. He purchased the art, and it was returned to the Philippines in 2017. Then it was stored in a private facility until October 2022, when Ponce De Leon agreed to have it publicly displayed. In 2023 the painting was then loaned to the Ayala Museum for a period of 3 years, and was exhibited to the public from June 12, 2023 to March 24 of 2024, and a second time within October 7 to 16 of 2025.
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