Leon Gallery gathers a stellar collection of Filipino art pieces to benefit programs of the Asian Cultural Council in support of Filipino artists
Chairs and mid-nineteenth century sideboards share stellar billing with historical documents at the auction that will be conducted by the Leon Gallery in partnership with the Asian Cultural Council. Proceeds generated from the public sale will contribute to the grants program of the Asian Cultural Council that supports the study of Filipino artists in their pursuit of excellence and provides opportunities for their exposure abroad.
Joya, Zóbel, Luz, Magsaysay Ho
Among the listed items up for bidding is an important work of National Artist Jose T. Joya, who was an Asian Cultural Council grantee. His 1959 Space Transfiguration , which won second place in the Art Association of the Philippines competition, shows his departure from traditional painting towards abstract expressionism. The painting, which is featured on the cover of the auction catalogue, has been published and exhibited numerous times and is touted to be the most famous among Jose T. Joya’s important works.
Other works from the golden years of Philippine Modern Art include a 1957 piece by another National Artist Arturo Luz, that belonged to a private European Collection, and a 1950 Fernando Zóbel from an American Collection. One Anita Magsaysay Ho, dated 1960, belonged to a close friend of the only female member of the Thirteen Moderns. The Thirteen Moderns was a loose grouping of artists whose aesthetics veered from established rules and principles to creative expressiveness that characterized contemporary art.
Fish
signed and dated 1972 (lower right)
oil on canvas
36” x 36” (91 cm x 91 cm)
Fishpond in Malabon
signed and dated 1927 (lower left)
oil on wood
13” x 16” (33 cm x 41 cm)
Lady with a Flowers signed and dated 1973
(lower right) oil on canvas
32” x 36” (66 cm x 41 cm)
Scream
signed and dated 1984 (upper left)
oil on canvas
48” x 26” (122 cm x 66 cm)
Space Transfiguration
signed and dated 1959 (lower right)
oil on canvas
60” x 70” (152 cm x 178 cm)
Tahip
signed and dated 1960 (lower right)
oil on canvas
24” x 36” (61 cm x 91 cm)
Tres Marias
signed and dated 1972 (lower right)
oil on canvas
35” x 37” (89 cm x 94 cm)
Venezia
dated 1957
oil on masonite board
22 3/4” x 25 1/2” (58 cm x 65 cm)
Virevia II
signed (lower left and verso) dated 1960
oil on canvas
44” x 28” (112 cm x 71 cm)
When Horses Gallop
signed and dated 2018 (lower right)
oil on canvas
60” x 84” (152 cm x 213 cm)
Prized Possessions of a Collector
Generating much interest is a mid-19th century Sheraton Sideboard that belonged to the late antiquarian Ramon N. Villegas. Described as the star of the show, the narra, balayong, kamagong lanite and bone carabao piece was part of the “Curated by Federico de Vera” exhibit that was held at the Ayala Museum. The work by skilled craftsmen was featured among the objects that defined Philippine culture and art.
An Art Noveau armchair and a side chair from Isabelo Tampinco’s workshop are the last two chairs from the collection of Maximo Voila. Voila is known to have lent José Rizal funds for the publication of the Noli Me Tángere. The pieces of furniture, circa 1900, are distinguished by carvings of anahaw leaves on the backrest, together with other foliage as palm and gabi, and bamboo design on the armrest. Isabelo Tampinco is the respected wood sculptor who represented the Philippines at the Universal Exposition in the United States at the age of 26. Born in Binondo, Manila, he descended from Binondo-based Chinese woodcarvers. Among his notable works are the façade of the Manila Cathedral, the carvings in the San Agustin Church and the relief on the molave door of the Santo Domingo Church.
Mid-19th Century
Narra, Kamagong, Lanite and Silver
H: 43 1/4” x L: 42 3/4” x W: 21 1/4”
(110 cm x 111 cm x 54 cm)
Early 19th Century
Molave
christ: H: 53” x L: 34” x W: 8” (135 cm x 86 cm x 20 cm)
crucifix: H: 103” x L: 45” x W: 11” (262 cm x 114 cm x 28 cm)
Armchair
1909
Narra and Rattan
H: 55” x L: 25 1/2” x W: 21 1/2” (140 cm x 65 cm x 55 cm)
3rd Quarter of the 19th Century
Narra and Rattan
H: 39 1/2” x L: 75” x W: 26” (100 cm x 191 cm x 66 cm)
Bonifacio’s Letters to Jacinto
History enthusiasts have a chance to acquire letters that were written by the revolutionary leader Andrés Bonifacio to Emilio Aguinaldo, the president of the Philippine provisional republic. The supremo of the Katipunan penned three letters to Aguinaldo, which narrated accounts of the Tejeros Convention on a stationary stamped with his seal. Another document included in the auction are Jacinto’s appointment papers as general of the revolution.
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by Simone Gabriel
