The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) exhibited Dr. Jose Rizal‘s sculpture, “Josephine Sleeping,” for the first time in commemoration of the hero’s 128th death anniversary on Rizal Day, Monday.
According to the NMP, Rizal created the clay sculpture of his wife, Josephine Bracken, when he was on exile in Dapitan.
It depicts Josephine sleeping on what looks like a classical Roman couch with her breast part covered only by her crossed arms and lower half covered by a blanket.
“The clay sculpture, dubbed as ‘Rizal’s Mona Lisa,’ is believed to be a memento intended to be kept close to its creator. 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 wrote in its post, Monday.
The piece was sold to an anonymous bidder for more than P31 million at Leon Gallery’s Kingly Treasures Auction 2024 in November.
The NMP, however, acquired the sculpture by invoking its right of refusal under Republic Act 11333.
The museum matched the bidder’s price tag and procured the sculpture as a “Christmas gift to the Filipino nation.”
“Josephine Sleeping” may be viewed in the Spoliarium Hall, while other Rizal’s artworks are on display in Gallery V in the exhibit “Inspiring the Nation, Dr. Jose Rizal: The National Hero in Art.”
The NMP is open on December 30 and 31, and will be closed on January 1.
— CDC, GMA Integrated News
