The plot twist has the National Museum of the Philippines acquiring Jose Rizal’s final sculpture named ‘Josephine Sleeping’
In a surprising turn of events, the National Museum of the Philippines has secured Jose Rizal’s iconic sculpture, “Josephine Sleeping,” after a record-setting Php31.2 million bid at Leon Gallery’s 2024 Kingly Treasures Action on November 30.
Just days after the auction, the NMP invoked a new law that grants them the right of first refusal, ensuring the historic piece remains in the Philippines.
Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, former chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), revealed in a Facebook post that the museum acted quickly to secure the sculpture of Josephine Bracken, Rizal’s wife.
“The National Museum of the Philippines stepped up to buy Jose Rizal’s ‘Mona Lisa’ sculpture and make it a Christmas gift to the Filipino nation,” she said, calling the timing perfect with Rizal’s 128th death anniversary coming up on December 30.
The original winning bidder, who requested anonymity, expressed no issues with the sudden plot twist.
“I was very pleased that it would be going to a place where it could be shared with everyone,” Lisa quoted the winning bidder as saying.
The sculpture, which portrays Josephine peacefully sleeping on a classical Roman couch, is believed to have survived World War II after being buried in a steel drum in the garden of a Rizal descendant.
