Matrimonio Luna
In this wedding photo, the bride is seated, concealing her noticeable height advantage, in compliance with the societal norms of the time, which emphasized male dominance, even in physical stature. This photograph encapsulates the dynamics of their union, ultimately leading to the tragic murder of the wife. This is the wedding photo of Juan Luna, widely regarded as the greatest Filipino artist that ever lived. It is said that Juan Luna negotiated an additional sum for his masterpiece "Battle of Lepanto" with the commission responsible for enhancing the Spanish Senate. The extra income from this deal was lavishly spent by Luna on a grand tour of Venice in 1886, intended as a honeymoon gift for his wife, María de la Paz Pardo de Tavera, known as Pacita. Luna made sure that Pacita would feel her significance to him and the deep love he held for her, bringing her to a pedestal of admiration and affection. Yet, half a decade later, love unmasked itself, revealing an ugly, multi-...