A photo of Una Bulaqueña”, now on exhibit at Louvre Abu Dhabi until June 2026. LOUVRE ABU DHABI

A masterpiece by renowned 19th-century Filipino artist Juan Luna is now on display at the prestigious Louvre Abu Dhabi, marking a historic cultural milestone for the Philippines. Luna’s iconic painting, “Una Bulaqueña”—widely considered his second most important work after “Spoliarium”—is now on exhibit in the Saadiyat Island cultural district, where it will remain on loan until June 2026. The painting is part of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s “Ambassador Object” program, which showcases culturally significant pieces from around the world. “Una Bulaqueña” was selected to symbolize Filipino identity, and is now featured in a dedicated section of the museum. “Una Bulaqueña” features a poised young woman dressed in the traditional Filipino baro’t saya, evoking both elegance and national pride. While the painting has long stirred public fascination, the identity of the sitter remained a mystery for generations. Only recently was she identified by historian Ambeth Ocampo as Emiliana Yriarte Trinidad, a woman from San Rafael, Bulacan, using photographic evidence. The painting is believed to reveal a long-lost love of Juan Luna, adding another layer of romanticism to the portrait. Acquired by the National Museum of the Philippines during World War II, “Una Bulaqueña” was later displayed at Malacañang Palace’s Music Room during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Luna’s enduring legacy Luna, hailed as the greatest Filipino painter of the 19th century, earned international acclaim when his monumental painting “Spoliarium” won the gold medal at the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid in 1884, outshining European masters and cementing his place in art history. Luna was not only a celebrated artist but also a revolutionary thinker whose works and ideas contributed to the Philippine nationalist movement. He passed away on December 7, 1899, in Hong Kong, following a cardiac arrest. The inclusion of “Una Bulaqueña” at the Louvre Abu Dhabi follows a successful 2023 exhibit of two Philippine artefacts—a burial mask from Butuan and a gold cup from Nabua, Camarines Sur—loaned by the Ayala Museum, which were the first Southeast Asian archaeological items to be displayed at the museum. The current loan reflects a growing partnership in cultural exchange and recognition of Filipino heritage on a global stage. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page