'Josephine Sleeping': Jose Rizal's clay sculpture on display at National Museum
A clay sculpture of Jose Rizal, the foremost Filipino hero and nationalist, has been displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) during the 128th anniversary of his martyrdom, or Rizal Day, on Dec. 30.
The sculpture, called Josephine Sleeping, "offers an intimate glimpse into the humanity and personal lives of Dr. Rizal and his last love Josephine Bracken," the NMP said in a Facebook post.
Made during his exile in Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, Josephine Sleeping, dubbed Rizal’s Mona Lisa, is believed to be a memento intended to be kept close to its creator. It was presumably sculpted between 1895 and 1896.
The sculpture, which measures 6x24x7cm, also has "RIZAL" inscribed on its lower portion.
"It traces its provenance to the heirs of Dr. Rizal’s sister Narcisa and has now found its way as part of our National Fine Arts Collection," the NMP said.
It's available for viewing at the Spoliarium Hall, which also houses Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium” and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s “The Assassination of Governor Bustamante.”
Next to Josephine Sleeping is a copy of De la Imitacion de Cristo y Menosprecio del Mundo or The Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis, a book that Rizal had signed and gifted to his “dear and unhappy wife” after their alleged marriage in his cell at Fort Santiago.
Jorell Legaspi, NMP deputy director general for museums, said the sculpture and the book “symbolize the sorrow and agony, and at the same time the bliss and love and happiness Rizal and Bracken probably felt while together."
Augusto de Viana, in an essay for the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, said Rizal and Bracken met in Hong Kong in 1895.
She went to Manila to have the eye disorder of her stepfather, George Taufer, treated. (Rizal was an ophthalmologist.)
They fell in life and eventually settled in Dapitan.
Rizal and Bracken got married two hours before his execution by firing squad at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park).
The NMP bought Josephine Sleeping at an auction at the Leon Gallery for P31,241,600.
Its acquisition was made possible through Republic Act No. 11333 or the NMP Act, which “grants (NMP) the means to generate and utilize revenue for the enhancement of our programs and national collections."
Rizal's other artworks, in an exhibit called “Inspiring the Nation, Dr. Jose Rizal: The National Hero in Art," can also be seen in Gallery V of the National Museum of Fine Arts, the NMP noted.
Rizal was one of the leading members of the Filipino propaganda movement in the late 19th century.
He promoted nationalist sentiments through his novels, writings on Philippine history and culture, scientific pursuits, civic education and engagement, and artistic works.
He was executed on Dec. 30 for allegedly inspiring the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
