Important works by Magsaysay-Ho, BenCab and Manansala at Salcedo Auctions
MANILA, Philippines - Salcedo Auctions announces its sale of “Important Philippine Art†on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2 p.m. at Three Salcedo Place. Held twice a year, this event curated by Ateneo Art Gallery director and chief curator Ramon E.S. Lerma presents arguably the world’s finest collection of Philippine art at auction, renowned for the quality, depth and significance of the works on offer.
Masterworks from the late 19th to the early 20th century include a Roman period oil by Juan Luna, which is listed in the catalogue raisonné of the artist published by the Eugenio Lopez Foundation; a charming painting of a lady reading a book by Fabian de la Rosa; and 1930s and 40s works from the golden period of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.
A highlight of this sale are the mid-20th century postwar modernist works, among these: “Carnival Walls,†a very rare and exceedingly important late 1950s oil and encaustic on wood by National Artist Arturo Luz — one of only a handful of works by the artist from this period still in existence that manifests the Paul Klee-inspired semi-figurative and geometric abstract style which the artist developed following his art studies in Europe; and “Blood Compact,†a set of four watercolors by National Artist Carlos “Botong†Francisco originally from the Jose and PetronilaTupaz collection. Other works from this seminal period of Philippine art history include a thickly impastoed abstract expressionist oil by National Artist Jose Joya done in 1962, the year he represented the country at the Venice Biennale; a 1963 view of the Mediterranean shoreline by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, stunning juxtaposition of the raw power of the landscape vis-à -vis the azure tranquility of the sea and sky; and a 1969 “Market Scene†by National Artist Vicente Manansala, formerly in the Camara collection, considered to be one of the maestro’s finest achievements in transparent cubism.
Works by two of the most eminently collectible Philippine artists are also featured: “Fish Vendors,†an iconic and exceptionally auspicious gold-hued painting by Anita Magsaysay-Ho from 1975; and “Life Class Setting,†a metaphysical London-period 1980 oil on canvas by National Artist BenCab.
The country’s most sought after contemporary artists are also represented in this sale through works with diverse themes but with a singular high standard of creativity. Expressionism and the figurative tradition come alive in the paintings of Elmer Borlongan, Rodel Tapaya, Manuel Ocampo, Alfredo Esquillo, John Santos, and Ronald Ventura — the partner piece of an oil on door panel that sold at Salcedo at a Philippine auction record last March.
Other highlights include a selection from the country’s most formidable female visual talents today: Geraldine Javier, Marina Cruz, and Annie Cabigting.
Preview is ongoing from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (4 p.m. on Saturdays). The online catalogue is available at salcedoauctions.com. For inquiries, call 659-4094/577-5065 or e-mail info@salcedoauctions.com.
