Going once, going twice

Numerous factors such as historical importance, provenance, trends, rarity, reputation, and sentimental value influence the level of demand artworks have in the world of art collecting. So when a Joya sells for over a hundred million pesos at an auction, which of these factors could have contributed to its interest among collectors? Is it Joya’s reputation as an internationally well-exhibited Filipino artist? His status as a national artist? Are these the same factors that drove up the price of a classic Amorsolo rural piece to millions of pesos?

Often, it is a combination of the previously mentioned factors that causes the price of an artwork to skyrocket. A common denominator among these factors is also how they are all socially motivated or, rather and more specifically, socially cultivated by the world of art collectors. Art sociology scholar Olav Velthuis says, “The art market functions as a big consensus marketing machine.” Velthuis explains that this consensus is created by what important figures such as well-known curators, museums, and collectors are saying about a certain work or artist. In other words, cultivated social significance is a main driving point for the value of an artwork.

Here, we take a look at some of the most expensive Filipino artworks ever sold on auction.

READ: Highlights of León Gallery’s The Magnificent September Auction 2024

“Paperweight 1” by Jose John Santos III — P18,104,000

“Paperweight 1” by Jose John Santos III was exhibited by the prestigious Pearl Lam Galleries from November 2014 to January 2015 and is the artist’s highest-sold work.

“Pounding Rice” by Vicente Manansala — P40,880,000

Painted in 1941, Vicente Manansala’s “Pounding Rice” won the top prize in the Filipiniana category of the First National Art Competition & Exhibition organized by the University of Santo Tomas months before the outbreak of World War II. The piece was acquired from the collection of philanthropist Delly Tambunting-Ongsiako.

“Mango Gatherers” by Fernando Amorsolo — P46,720,000

“Mango Gatherers” is a classic rural scene by the first Filipino National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. The American period saw the popularity of classic Filipiniana scenes often sold as souvenirs and among these works, Amorsolo’s depiction of romantic rural life basking in his trademark chiaroscuro stood out. “Mango Gatherers” currently holds the world record for the highest-selling Amorsolo piece.

“Sabel” by Benedicto Cabrera — P46,720,000

The “Sabel” is a quintessential figure in Benedicto Cabrera’s oeuvre that has come to mark a significant period of BenCab’s artistic evolution.

“Fifty-Five A” by Hernando R. Ocampo — P47,888,000

Hernando R. Ocampo’s “Fifty-Five A” was sold at the León Gallery’s The Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2022 after its acquisition from the collection of former ambassador Jose Zaide.

“Blind Mechanism” by Ronald Ventura — P57,232,000

Thirteen Artists Awards recipient Ronald Ventura continues to be a distinguished name in Philippine art, mostly recognized from his bold experimentations on canvas combining graffiti, pop culture icons, and hyperrealistic forms. A testament to the artist’s critical eye as a contemporary artist, “Blind Mechanism” is the highest-sold Ventura work in the Philippine art market.

“Fishermen” by Ang Kiukok — P65,408,000

Ang Kiukok’s “Fishermen” easily draws the collector’s eye as it is among the artist’s biggest paintings to be auctioned off in recent years. It also once held the title of the most expensive painting ever sold at an art auction in the Philippines” in 2017.

“Fruit Market” by Anita Magsaysay-Ho — P86,432,000

Magsaysay-Ho’s “Fruit Market” is an important piece from the Philippine Art Gallery, established by Lyd Arguilla in 1951 and one of the first modern art galleries in the country. The work, which was sold at the León Gallery 2023 mid-year auction, currently holds the record for Magsaysay-Ho.

“Space Transfiguration” by Jose Joya — P112,128,000

Jose Joya’s “Space Transfiguration” is by far the highest-sold work in the Philippines. Aside from being a fine example of Joya’s Abstract Expressionism, it is also a critical piece in Joya’s career that, as notable art critic and historian Alice Guillermo wrote, marked the beginning of his experimentation with large-scale works. The piece is also among Joya’s most published, most recognized, and most exhibited works. Although for all the publicity it garnered, “Space Transfiguration” is the one piece that Joya refused to cede in his lifetime, ending up in the possession of his sister Josie J. Baldovino after his death.

“Baston ni Kabunian, Bilang Pero di Mabilang” by Rodel Tapaya — P19,856,000

Rodel Tapaya’s “Baston ni Kabunian, Bilang Pero di Mabilang” was exhibited at the 10th Gwangju Biennale in South Korea and won the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize in 2011.

“La Pintura” by Félix Resurrección Hidalgo — P78,256,000

Félix Resurrección Hidalgo’s “La Pintura” is a perfect example of a work that draws its value from historical significance. In this piece, one clearly gleans influences of the French Impressionist style in Hidalgo’s brushwork—a quality that Jose Rizal had also praised in his work.

Leon Gallery’s The Magnificent September Auction 2024 will take place on Sept. 14, 2024, Saturday at 2 p.m. The preview will be held from Sept. 7 to 13, 2024, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at G/F Eurovilla 1 at the corner of Rufino and Legazpi Streets in Legazpi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

For more information, visit www.león-gallery.com, email info@león-gallery.com, or call +632 8856-2781.

View the catalog here.