Jose Rizal’s sculpture of Josephine Bracken to be unveiled at National Museum on Rizal Day

Jose Rizal’s sculpture of Josephine Bracken is set to be unveiled at the National Museum of Fine Arts on December 30, Rizal Day.

Named “Sleeping Josephine,” it will be revealed at the Spoliarium Hall.

“A resting beauty is arriving to captivate your hearts and minds at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Ready to wish her a ‘good night’?” National Museum said on its Facebook.

The art piece depicts Josephine Bracken with her chest covered by her crossed arms and lower half covered by a blanket while sleeping on what appeared like a classical Roman couch.

The sculpture was personally signed by Rizal.

"Josephine Sleeping" was featured in the pictorial album on Rizal published by the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission in 1961 and was on the front page of Sunday Times Magazine on June 14, 1970.

According to the auction catalog written by Nakpil, the sculpture was made during Rizal's exile in Dapitan after he met Bracken.

Rizal knew the Irish woman through the latter's adoptive father, George Taufer, who had come to Dapitan to seek Rizal's help to cure his blindness.

It was put up for auction in November as part of Leon Gallery's Kingly Treasures Auction 2024. It sold for P34 million to an anonymous bidder.

“Sleeping Josephine” was acquired by the National Museum in December.

—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News