8/3/2019 andress luna

1/2

ANDRES LUNA D E SAN PEDRO

(1886-1952)

Outstanding Painter and Architect

Born in Paris, France, in 1886, Andres Luna de San Pedro was the son of the famous

Filipino painter, Juan Luna, and Paz Pardo de Tavera. He set foot in the Philippines with hisfather and uncle, the great revolutionary general, Antonio Luna, when he was six to begin anearly education. He studied painting under Miguel Zaragosa, and, later, under Ramon Sta.Coloma and Lorenzo Guerrero.

He first gained international recognition as a painter in Hanoi, Indo-China (then underthe French) in 1902, when he won an honorable mention for his works. In the more famous St.Louis Exposition in the United States, he won a silver medal for one of his paintings. He gotanother silver medal at the Exposition of the Society of Artists held in Manila in 1908.

Luna went to Japan to study ceramics, but got nowhere and returned to Manila and tooka correspondence course, instead, in architecture with the International Correspondence School.

It awarded him his diploma in 1911. The following year, he left for Europe and studied art inParis under Charles Gilardi, an artist constructor, and entered the Superior School of Fine Arts.

At the same time, he worked in the office of Paulin, a French architect. He also studiedmathematics under Prof. Bauduit, and sculpture under the famous Prof. Vermon, the renownedsculptor and winner of a grand prize in Rome. Not content with these, he also attended theNight School de Temple. In 1918, he obtained his architects diploma from the Frenchgovernment.

Luna got a job in the office of Emil Bertone, chief architect of the French government,and was admitted to the Salon des Artistes Francais. One of his works here, a design for aschool of fine arts in Manila, garnered an award. He was also inducted into the Societe Centraldes Architects Francais.

On his return to Manila, he was made chief architect of the city government. He held the job from 1920 to 1924. Afterwards, he served as president of the Philippine Institute ofArchitects. He was the first recipient of its gold medal merit award.

Luna was one of the earliest practitioners of the modern architectural style and was atease with the revivalist style. He used both methods with utmost elegance.

His works in the revivalist style include the Legarda Elementary School (1922); theAlfonso Zobel house on Roxas and Padre Faura streets; the San Vicente de Paul Chapel (nowchurch) on San Marcelino street, built in 1930; and the Rafael Fernandez house on ArleguiStreet which was used by President Aquino as her official residence.

Most of the buildings showing his modern style were destroyed during World War II.The Crystal Arcade, a commercial building housing shops and offices, was considered Manilasmost modern pre-war building.

The Perkins house that Luna built was said to be the most beautiful in the country. Itwon first prize in the 1925 House Beautiful Contest.

Luna was married to Grace V. Mcrae.

8/3/2019 andress luna

2/2

He died on January 22, 1952.

In 1964, he was posthumously given the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award by thecity of Manila.

References:

Aguilar-Cruz, E. Luna. Manila: Department of Public Information, 1975.

CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art Volumes 2, 3 and 4. Manila: Cultural Center of thePhilippines, 1994