Rizal’s ‘Josephine Sleeping’ awakens at National Museum

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal’s exquisite P31-million statue “Josephine Sleeping” will be unveiled tomorrow, the 128th anniversary of the hero’s martyrdom, at the National Museum of Fine Arts on T.M. Kalaw Drive, Ermita, Manila.

By all accounts, this gift to the Filipino people is priceless – immortalizing not only the country’s foremost hero but also the woman he loved, Josephine Leopoldine Bracken. It’s a snapshot of the country’s greatest love story, eclipsing even the Manila Film Festival and the metro-wide New Year’s countdowns.

Speaking under cover of anonymity, its previous owner and a descendant of Rizal’s sister Narcisa said, “When I learned that the National Museum was interested in acquiring this sculpture, I was overjoyed. It seemed fitting for such a remarkable piece of our family’s legacy – and of Philippine history – to be housed where it could be appreciated by everyone. However, as I followed the auction in real time, my heart sank when I saw the museum bow out early in the bidding.

For a moment, I feared this piece, so intimately tied to my great-grand uncle’s love for Josephine and his final days, might vanish into private hands.”

New law

Thanks to a new law allowing it to match winning bids at public auction, the National Museum of the Philippines was able to acquire the extraordinary work seven days mandated after the Leon Gallery Kingly Treasures Auction this November 2024.

The previous owner continued jubilantly, “When the National Museum was able to acquire the statue after the auction, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and pride. Although letting this treasured family heirloom go was not an easy decision, I now know it was the right one. This sculpture belongs to the Filipino people, just as Rizal himself does.”

The owner was moved to donate a precious sketch of Josephine that was displayed at the Rizal Centennial in 1961 alongside the statue.

Philippines own ‘Mona Lisa’

Rizal’s “Josephine Sleeping” – hailed as the country’s very own “Mona Lisa” – can now be viewed for free at the lofty Spoliarium Hall of the museum, between the most famous masterpieces by Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.

A specially-designed glass vitrine, lined in velvet, will contain the extraordinary statue alongside the devotional book “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis, which Rizal dedicated and gave to his “dear and unhappy wife” just hours before his death by firing squad at the Luneta.

Twin banners feature quotations from Leon Ma. Guerrero, author of the definitive Rizal biography “The First Filipino,” as well as a letter from Josephine Bracken herself to Jose Rizal.

“If Rizal can be said to have ever loved anyone else by the Filipino nation, then it must be said that he loved Josephine; he was her husband twice over… she was the one woman with whom he shared that most jealously prized of all his possessions, his name, and also his heart’s intimacies,” wrote Guerrero.

That much is clear in “Josephine Sleeping,” which shows Rizal (and his wife) at their most vulnerable.

Said Jorell Legaspi, deputy director-general for museums of the National Museum, “We plan to re-design the present Rizal Gallery next year to create a stronger narrative for ‘Josephine Sleeping.’

The artwork may be viewed by the public for free from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 and 31, with a break on Jan. 1.

Viewing resumes seven days a week thenceforth, Monday to Sunday.