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Hymen, oh Hyménée! is a history painting done in the historical realism style, which is closely associated with Luna's earlier notable works such as Spoliarium (1884) and The Death of Cleopatra (1881). This artwork portrays a scene from a Roman wedding ritual, specifically the moment when the bride is entering the groom's chamber. The painting draws upon the ancient tradition of invoking Hymen, the Roman god of marriage, through nuptial songs dating back to the 5th century BCE. Its title is inspired by a wedding chant composed by the Roman poet Catullus.Luna's deep interest in the Greco-Roman world, fostered by his tutelage under Spanish history painter Alejo Vera, motivated him to delve into the artistic heritage of Rome and Pompeii. This exploration prompted Luna to personally visit these ancient cities, where he absorbed their vibrant history and integrated their influences into his artistic creations.In 1886, Luna tied the knot with Paz Pardo de Tavera, the heiress of a prominent Filipino family residing in Paris. Despite initial resistance from Paz's mother, Luna was eventually accepted into the family. It was during their honeymoon in Venice that Luna commenced the creation of Hymen, oh Hyménée! which was eventually finished by early 1887.In 1889, Luna received an invitation to exhibit his artworks as part of the Spanish exhibition at the Palace of Fine Arts in the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, commemorating the centennial of the French Revolution. Initially, Luna had hoped to showcase his larger-scale works, such as Spoliarium and The Battle of Lepanto, but those plans did not materialize. As a result, Luna submitted smaller works, including Hymen, oh Hyménée! for the exhibition. The painting was later honored with the distinction of hors concours (out of competition) and received a Third Class medal (bronze medal) in recognition of its artistic merit.
historical realism 1889 Exposition Universelle The Death of Cleopatra history painting Rome Greco-Roman world Roman wedding ritual Venice Paz Pardo de Tavera wedding chant French Revolution Pompeii Spoliarium The Battle of Lepanto Catullus Paris Exposition Universelle Alejo Vera