Spoliarium
Juan Luna · 1884
Why it's great
In the dark cellar of a Roman arena, slaves drag the bodies of fallen gladiators away, as crowds look on. Juan Luna from the Philippines won the top prize at an art show in Madrid in 1884 with this huge painting, among the biggest in the world. Filipinos were proud that one of their own beat the best European artists. It's a national treasure of the Philippines.
Where to see it
📍 National Museum of Fine ArtsManila, Philippines
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Juan Luna was born in the Philippines and studied art in Manila, Madrid and Rome. His enormous painting 'Spoliarium' won a gold medal in Madrid in 1884, and made him a hero to Filipinos. He lived in Spain and France and supported Philippine independence. He died in Hong Kong in 1899.
