Details of Juan Luna's time in a Paris prison revealed in letter up for auction

A letter penned by renowned revolutionary painter Juan Luna is up for bidding at Three Salcedo Place on Saturday at the "Important Philippine Art" auction. 

The letter — addressed to Don Ezequiel Ordoñez — brings to the surface curious details about the time he spent at the Mazas Prison in Paris. Luna was arrested and tried for the murder of his wife Maria de la Paz Pardo de Tavera and his mother-in-law Juliana. 

There are no records of any other letters written by Luna during his incarceration, per the statement released by Salcedo Auctions.

Photo courtesy of Salcedo Auctions.

Ordoñez was a lawyer, a life senator, and the Subsecretary to Minister of Overseas Affairs. According to the statement released by Salcedo Auctions, Luna's friendship with such an important political figure afforded him certain benefits in prison such as frequent visits by his son Andrés.

The letter further revealed that despite the gravity of the charges against him, Luna seemed confident that he would soon be a free man:

Most Excellent Sr. D. Ezequiel Ordoñez,

My distinguished friend;

I have received your two attentive letters as well as that of the Director for Public Instruction.

Very much I will be glad that Mr Minister does not forget me and, Mister Ordoñez I do not know how much to thank you for what you do for this unfortunate man.

My trial will probably be held towards the middle of next January and despite my sad situation, I almost prefer to wait resigned and patient this New Year because I can assure you that this has been a disastrous year for me I am looking forward to see it disappear off the calendar.

I see my Andresito three times a week, thanks to the kindness of my Judge who has really behaved like a true gentleman.

When I get back to that one, I ll take this rest of my destroyed family so I ll meet yours and he will play with them

Hoping to see you soon I will thank infinitely for your great services with this occasion I will remain always of You grateful, your unfortunate friend

Juan Luna.

Ambeth Ocampo in 2012 wrote a column about the crime: The raging Luna had shot his wife, whom he had been accusing of having an affair, point-blank in the second floor bathroom of their apartment on September 22, 1892. Tavera's mother Juliana was "in the wrong place at the wrong time", said Ocampo, and Luna shot her in the head.

She fell in the bathtub, while the young Tavera was found on the floor. She died 11 days later. Her brother, Felix, was also injured during the shooting.

He was eventually acquitted on February 8, 1893, on the grounds of a crime of passion.

The "Important Philippine Art" auction begins at 2pm at Three Salcedo Place on March 10, with a preview that runs until 6pm. 

The bid for the "Letter to Sr. D. Ezequiel Ordoñez" (Lot 109) starts at P150,000. 

Also up for auction are "Bu’lul: A Rare Early Seated Bu’lul with Heavily Encrusted Blood Patina most probably from Poitan" (Lot 133) and Jose Joya's "Tagaytay Mist" (Lot 59). Peruse the catalog via Salcedo Auctions' official website. — Aya Tantiangco, GMA News