From right: The Lopez Museum and Library team of Romeo Jalandoni, Thea Sulangi, Peter Natividad and Rod Enano with National Gallery of Singapore’s Johnny ChenContributing one of the largest loans from a single collection, the Lopez Museum and Library successfully brought over 10 paintings by Juan Luna to be part of the National Gallery of Singapore (NGS) exhibition Between Worlds: Raden Saleh and Juan Luna.

The Lune component of the exhibition curated by Lisa Chikiamco features works of the Filipino painter loaned from private and public collections in the Philippines and abroad in addition to the ones in the NGS’ permanent collection.

Unveiled on November 16, the exhibition is a must-see, with rarely seen paintings from Luna’s Roman period to his other monumental works on view for the public to enjoy.

Lopez Museum’s collections management department and conservation center worked with representatives from the NGS for the preparation of the artworks. Each step was meticulously monitored and executed, from the creation of the crates that would hold the canvases in transit to overseeing the unpacking of the artworks until their installation in the galleries. Utilizing best practices in collections management, the museum worked to ensure the security of these national treasures. The endeavor became an opportunity for the museum staff to refresh and improve their skills in collections management. At the same time, the museum was able to engage with colleagues in what is hoped to be an initial foray into more collaborations in the future.

Lopez Museum’s España y Filipinas is on display alongside the version of the work from the NGS collection. Flora is scattered along the steps and billowing fabrics are strewn across the two women; the differences display the artistic process of the Filipino painter and his attention to detail.

Lopez Museum cited the NGS curatorial team for its extensive research, filling in gaps and giving richer context not only to the reunited pair, but also to the exhibition as a whole.

The 10 Luna paintings from the Lopez Museum collection will be on display at the NGS until March 11, 2018. For more information about Between Worlds, visit www.nationalgallery.sg. (Story/Photos by: Thea Garing and Yna Musico)

The galleries in Between Two Worlds: Raden Saleh and Juan Luna