Juan Luna's 'Una Bulaqueña' can now be viewed at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Juan Luna's iconic masterpiece, Una Bulaqueña, has successfully arrived and is now on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
In a Facebook post, the National Museum of the Philippines announced the successful loan and display of the art, marking the first direct collaboration between the NMP and LAD.
The post shows the unveiling ceremony, which was attended by Louvre Abu Dhabi Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Ambassador of the Philippines in the UAE Alfonso Ver, and National Museum of the Philippines Deputy Director-General Jorell Legaspi.
"With this display of Una Bulaqueña, Abu Dhabi audiences will have the opportunity to discover a great deal about its cultural and art historical context, thereby learning more about the rich and fascinating history of the Philippines," the LAD chairman said while highlighting their museum's commitment to universality and global cultural exchange.
Meanwhile, LAD's Director Manuel Rabate said that Luna's painting is a "great representation of the heritage and identity of the Filipino people."
"At Louvre Abu Dhabi, we are deeply honored to bring this treasured masterpiece to the Arab world for the first time… This exceptional loan strengthens our universal narrative by placing Southeast Asia’s voice at the heart of our global dialogue,” he stated.
Una Bulaqueña depicts a young Filipina from Bulacan in traditional clothing, capturing her "grace" and inner "strength" through her thoughtful expression and upright posture. It also demonstrates Luna's skill in blending European artistic styles with the unique spirit of Filipino identity.
The piece is displayed alongside other renowned European works, specifically Auguste Renoir's La Tasse du Chocolat and Edouard Manet's The Bohemian, at the LAD.
LAD is an art museum located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In 2007, the museum acquired its name after signing an agreement between the UAE and France, allowing it to use the Louvre's name until 2047. Since then, it has been described by the Louvre as "France's largest cultural project abroad."
According to its website, LAD's collection focuses on cross-cultural interactions, which include "the stories of human creativity that transcend individual cultures or civilizations, times or places."