The Louvre Abu Dhabi is set to unveil Una Bulaqueña, a prized oil-on-canvas portrait by Filipino master Juan Luna, in a landmark cultural loan from the National Museum of the Philippines.
Declared a National Cultural Treasure, Una Bulaqueña—which translates to “A Woman from Bulacan”—will be the centerpiece of the Louvre’s newest showcase of Southeast Asian art. This marks the museum’s first-ever direct collaboration with the Philippines, highlighting a shared commitment to celebrating global heritage.
Painted between late 1895 and early 1896, the artwork captures a young Filipina—believed by art historians to be Emiliana Yriarte Trinidad—gracefully posed in a traditional María Clara ensemble. Rendered in exquisite detail, the portrait reflects not only Luna’s mastery of European academic techniques but also his subtle assertion of Filipino identity during Spanish colonial rule.
With its plain background and focus on delicate textures of jusi, lace, and native fabrics, the painting stands apart from Luna’s other celebrated works by placing an empowered, serene Filipina at its heart. The composition, though quiet, speaks volumes about cultural dignity, elegance, and resistance.
