Juan Luna was a renowned painter, famous for his masterpieces

• The Death of Cleopatra
• The Blood Compact
• The Spoliarium

The young Luna studied at the Ateneo de Manila, and studied designing at the Academia de Dibujo Y Pintura in Manila

In 1875, he obtained his certificate as a pilot or seaman at age 17. He traveled to Spain in 1877, and entered Escuela de Bella Artes in Madrid

In 1881, Juan Luna won the gold medal for Death of Cleopatra ( later sold for 5000 pesetas). In 1884, he painted his best known work, the "Spoliarium".

Other notable works included:

• Ang Espana sa Pilipinas
• Ang Aliping Bulag
• Ang Tagumpay ni Lapu-lapu
• Ang Labanan sa Lepanto
• Ang Mestisa

He returned to the Philippines in 1891. In 1896 he was captured and imprisoned at Fort Santiago on suspicion of being with the Katipuneros. Later he went back to Spain where he joined Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez-Jaena.

He died of sickness on December 7, 1899.