Luna painting returns home, to stay for good

Juan Luna’s "Parisian Life" is back in the country, where it is expected to permanently reside in the museum of the Government Service Insurance System.

The Luna painting, which was acquired last week for P46 million at a Christie’s auction of Southeast Asian art in Hong Kong, arrived yesterday on board a Cathay Pacific Airlines flight.

It will temporarily stay at the Customs area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport until today for "acclimatization," said GSIS director Eric Zerrudo, who was on hand to receive the 110-year-old painting.

The Luna painting, Zerrudo said, will finally find a permanent home in the GSIS museum located in the GSIS building at the CCP complex on Roxas Boulevard. It would be displayed for public viewing starting Monday next week.

The painting was among the rare items inherited by Ramon Nakpil, who decided to send it to Singapore on Aug. 7 for an exhibit.

He then commissioned Christie’s to auction the painting in Hong Kong, but the National Museum asked it to be returned to Manila because the Luna painting was brought out of the country without an export permit.

It was sent back to Hong Kong on Oct. 25 after Nakpil complied with the requirements. – Rey Arquiza