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A Rare Tribute to Valor: Kingly Treasures Auction at León Gallery
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León Gallery caps off the year with a grand tribute to Filipino history and heroism through its Kingly Treasures Auction on November 30, 2024. This highly-anticipated event pays homage to the Philippines’ storied past. It will feature rare masterpieces and artifacts that celebrate the legacy of our national heroes and other influential figures.
Celebrating Our Legacy of Heroism
The auction places two of the Philippines’ most iconic heroes, José Rizal and Andrés Bonifacio, center stage. Rizal’s Josephine Sleeping is a poignant sculpture crafted during his exile in Dapitan. It offers a rare glimpse into the national hero’s personal life.
Passed down through the descendants of Rizal’s sister Narcisa, this treasured piece makes a historic appearance in this auction. This deeply intimate work reflects Rizal’s devotion to Josephine Bracken, the woman who became his steadfast companion in his final years.
Adding to the narrative of heroism is the Last Seal of the Katipunan, which resurfaces after 127 years. A relic tied to Bonifacio’s revolutionary fervor, the seal represents the nation’s enduring fight for liberty. This artifact, preserved in the collection of scholar Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, stands as a testament to the resilience of the Philippine Revolution.
![LOT 64, PROPERTY FROM THE PROFESSOR AMBETH R. OCAMPO COLLECTION, Guillermo Tolentino (1890 - 1976). Bust of Andres Bonifacio inscribed with Baybayin that reads "BO-NI-PA-[S]-YO" and with "Bonifacio" below it, both by Tolentino, renowed authority in Philippine script. Plaster of paris bust with bronze paint plaster casts. Kingly Treasures Auction.](https://assets.bluprint-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kings-Treasures-Auction-5.jpg "Kings Treasures Auction (5) - BluPrint")
Guillermo Tolentino (1890 – 1976). Bust of Andres Bonifacio inscribed with Baybayin that reads “BO-NI-PA-[S]-YO” and with “Bonifacio” below it, both by Tolentino, renowed authority in Philippine script. Plaster of paris bust with bronze paint plaster casts.
Guillermo Tolentino’s plaster Bust of Andrés Bonifacio, based on his iconic Monumento sculpture, further highlights the hero’s legacy. Previously owned by historian Ambeth R. Ocampo, this piece connects viewers to Bonifacio’s fiery spirit and the sculptor’s dedication to immortalizing him.
Collectible Pieces from Modern Masters
The upcoming Kingly Treasures Auction presents an exceptional opportunity to acquire masterpieces that showcase the ingenuity and depth of Filipino artistry. Among the highlights are Fernando Zóbel’s Azul sobre pardo and Orilla 69, En Amarillo y Gris, two remarkable works that demonstrate his artistic evolution.
The former, part of the coveted Saetas series, stands out as one of only nine blue pieces ever created. Meanwhile, the latter reflects Zóbel’s later inspirations, drawn from the powerful River Júcar in Cuenca, Spain, where he found solace and creativity.
Alfonso Ossorio (1916 – 1990), Untitled, signed, dated and inscribed “28.7.58” (verso). Mixed media on wood panel.
Adding to the auction’s allure is Alfonso Ossorio’s rare, large-scale mixed-media panel, a testament to his friendship with abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock. As one of only five pieces gifted to family and friends, this work offers collectors a chance to own a significant piece of the modern art movement.
Mario Parial (1944 – 2013), Higantes Festival, signed and dated 1979 (lower right). Oil on canvas.
The collection of Freddie and Elizabeth Webb also takes center stage, featuring Mario Parial’s Higantes Festival and Juvenal Sansó’s evocative Jagged Shore. From the distinguished collection of Ambassador Pedro Conlu Hernaez comes Juan Luna’s La Majordoma, a piece that exemplifies Luna’s mastery of social realism and poignant commentary on the human condition.
Juan Luna y Novicio (1857 – 1899), La Majordoma, signed (lower right) ca. 1890. Oil on canvas.
Rounding out the selection is Jerry Elizalde Navarro’s A Foul Wind on the 11th Day of February 1986, an emotionally charged work that honors the martyrdom of Evelio B. Javier. This powerful piece captures a defining moment in Philippine history, reflecting the tumult and triumph of the EDSA Revolution.
León Gallery continues its philanthropic efforts by partnering with the International School Manila’s Filipino Scholars Program. Among the lots raising money for the cause is Jigger Cruz’s pivotal 2013 masterpiece Sudden Flesh in a Fountain of Blues, which marked the artist’s ascent in the contemporary art scene.
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Jigger Cruz (b. 1984), Sudden Flesh in a Fountain of Blues, signed and dated 2013 (lower right). Oil on canvas.
Women Who Shaped History
The Kingly Treasures Auction also celebrates trailblazing women who left an indelible mark on history. Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s Tinikling No. 2 captures the dynamism of Filipino culture and tradition. This vibrant depiction of the iconic folk dance once belonged to Estefania Aldaba Lim, the Philippines’ first female cabinet secretary. She was also the first PhD in psychology and was a staunch advocate for mental health and children’s rights.
Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco (1912 – 1969), Tinikling No. 2, signed and inscribed “Tinikling No.2 from the Original by Carlos V. Francisco” (lower right), ca. 1964. Oil on canvas.
Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s Lavanderas by the Stream, painted en plein air in 1934, showcases the early artistry that defined her career. It bears the influence of her mentor Fernando Amorsolo while offering a glimpse into her artistic evolution.
Filipina abstractionist Nena Saguil also features in this auction with her lyrical work gifted to Tetta Agustin, Hubert de Givenchy’s first Filipina muse. Saguil’s art and Agustin’s rise in European fashion symbolize the courage and ambition that defined their respective paths as pioneers in their fields.
Felix Resurrección Hidalgo’s Portrait of Raimunda Chuidian Roxas portrays a woman whose marriage united two influential Filipino clans. Painted during Hidalgo’s rise to international acclaim, the piece reflects the social and artistic triumphs of the time. Raimunda, as part of this union, became a figure emblematic of the intertwined legacies of business, landownership, and art in Philippine history.
Experience History and Art
The Kingly Treasures Auction will run a preview week from November 23 to 29, offering the public a chance to view these extraordinary pieces up close. The main event unfolds on November 30, 2024, at 2 PM at Eurovilla 1 in Makati City.
This year-end auction not only celebrates the richness of Philippine art and history but also offers collectors the unique opportunity to own pieces that resonate with the nation’s cultural soul. For more details, visit their website or follow León Gallery on Facebook and Instagram.
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