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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sensitivity Of An Artist

By Jose Sison Luzadas,
KGOR, Scarborough Chapter, CANADA

If there is one man other than Ferdinand Blumentrtitt who by just delivering an obituary that help boasted so much credibility on who Rizal was, is this famous German doctor, anthropologist, public health activist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician. He is referred to as the "Father of Pathology," and founded the field of Social Medicine.

His name is Dr. Rudolf Virchow whom Rizal met when Blumentritt introduced him.
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Famous, because it was he who put an end in the quest for the “missing link”! His conclusion that the Neanderthals were man’s closest cousins is universally accepted.

Dr. Rudolf Virchow who at that time was a member of the German parliament and president of the Berlin Society delivered his obituary to Dr. Jose Rizal during a meeting of paleontologists, pathologists, archeologists and other members of the Berlin Society to which Rizal was a member. It happened in 1897, one year after Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan, December 30, 1896.

Here is the excerpt from the OBITUARY:

“In the penetrating psychological analysis of the man by Mr. Blumentritt there is mention of Rizal's sensitivity as an artist, Mr. Blumentritt being the possessor of three terracotta statues: Prometheus Bound, the victory of death over life and the triumph of the intellect over death.

We are losing in Rizal not only a faithful friend of Germany and German scholarship but also the only man with sufficient knowledge and resolution to open a way for modern thought into that far-off island world."

Other than medical or literary field, Rizal demonstrated his “sensitivity as an ARTIST” on the three pieces of artwork sculpted in terra he gave as souvenirs to his Austrian friend, Blumentritt namely,

1) “The Victory of Death Over Life”
2) “Prometheus Bound” and
3) “The Triumph of Intellect Over Death”

First sculpture--“The Victory of Death over Life”

A close look at his sculpture reflects the popular theme when the evil forces of darkness gain upper hand from the forces of good and righteousness.

Depicting the interplay of life and death still is the popular theme among writers, dramatists, poets and philosophers and composers from the pre-Renaissance artists to the present.

Second Artwork—“Prometheus Bound”

With solid background in Greek mythology, Rizal impressed us with this artwork using a mythical hero, Prometheus whose hands were tied to a rock with an eagle watching and eating his liver as punishment from Zeus for disobeying.

Greek mythology tells us that Prometheus is of one the Gods in Mount Olympus with Zeus as their big chief. As a lesser god he has nothing but pity to man because these creatures that peopled the Earth were made to be ignorant, stupid and without the power of reasoning.

One day when Zeus was sleeping, Prometheus stole the fire, went to earth and gave it to man thus putting an end to man’s stupidity and ignorance. By receiving the fire, man is now equipped with “knowledge”, “intelligence” add “independence”. Zeus was angry for having been deceived and sold out by Prometheus so he exacted his revenge by having Prometheus’ hands tied to a rock.

The use of the mythic hero Prometheus has special meaning to explain Rizal’s philosophy. Did he not say in the NOLI that he is going to remove the veil of ignorance to open the minds of his countrymen through education? Therefore symbols like Light, Torch and Fire could mean to symbolize Knowledge, Science, Medicine, Power, Intellect, Learning, Education, an awakening, liberation or emancipation of people subjected to all forms slavery, superstition, oppression and tyranny.

Can you remember your elementary and high school years when you were required to buy writing NOTE BOOK for your homework? You will note the front cover has a picture of a TORCH and around it is boldly printed “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER” or “ANG KARUNUNGAN AY TANGLAW”.

Third artwork- “The Triumph of Intellect Over Death”

Rizal vividly emphasized this theme when you look at his sculpture of a nude woman whose hands raised upright holding a torch. Rizal unsparingly made use of the symbolic TORCH or LIGHT to illustrate the forces of evil in the guise of death, ignorance, tyranny and oppression represented by the skull is finally vanquished for good!

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