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Arts & Culture

Salcedo Auctions Unveils Catalog for September Edition of ‘The Well-Appointed Life’

September 7, 2024
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By 
Rick Formalejo

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On September 14, 2024, Salcedo Auctions will hold its much-anticipated “The Well-Appointed Life” marquee sale, showcasing a remarkable collection of works from Filipino masters and contemporary artists. The auction, which begins at 2 PM, offers both live and online bidding. The catalog, now available at salcedoauctions.com, promises an exceptional array of pieces, from important Philippine artworks to rare ecclesiastical and ethnographic artifacts, all aligned with the theme, “The Life That Shines Within.”

Arturo Luz Black Forms at Salcedo Auctions
Arturo Luz’s Black Forms, White Space(48 x 93 x 2 in)

Richie Lerma, chairman of Salcedo Auctions, describes the collection as a tribute to the spirit of excellence, akin to the remarkable achievements of the country’s recent Olympic athletes. “Their victories have brought pride to the nation, just as art inspires and unites us,” Lerma explains.

Highlights of the Sale

Among the standout pieces are two contrasting works by National Artist BenCab. Sabel (2008), estimated at PHP 20,000,000 to PHP 22,000,000, showcases the artist’s vibrant muse, a symbol that has spanned his career. In contrast, The Door (1970), a more subdued piece from the Glenda Jackson collection, London, is estimated at PHP 2,000,000 to PHP 2,400,000. These two paintings, created 38 years apart, reflect the evolution of BenCab’s style, from the introspective drawings of a homesick artist in London to the bold, colorful strokes of his later years in Baguio.

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BenCab’s Sabel
BenCab’s Sabel from 2008 (60 x 36 in)
The Door
The Door from 1970 (23 1/4 x 22 in)

Two paintings by National Artist Ang Kiukok also capture attention. Yellow Fish Skeleton (1979), estimated at PHP 3,300,000 to PHP 3,500,000, marks a transition from serene representations to a more intense and confrontational style. Meanwhile, his 1988 work Horse (PHP 15,000,000 to PHP 16,000,000) reveals Kiukok’s rare humorous side, depicting a dynamic and playful interpretation of the animal.

Ang Kiukok watercolor, Yellow Fish Skeleton
Ang Kiukok’s watercolor, Yellow Fish Skeleton from 1979 (22 x 30 3/4 in)
Horse by Ang Kiukok
Horse from 1988 (35 x 45 in)

Masters and Traditional Themes

Other notable works include Woman (1992) by Mauro Malang Santos (PHP 14,000,000 to PHP 15,000,000), a vibrant cubist piece that contrasts with Fernando Amorsolo’s romantic landscape Harvesting Perales (1949), estimated at PHP 8,500,000 to PHP 9,500,000. While Amorsolo is known for his warm depictions of rural life, Malang’s work subverts tradition with explosive colors and bold geometric forms.

Mauro Malang Santos’ Woman
Mauro Malang Santos’ Woman from 1992 (51 x 37 in)
Fernando Amorsolo ‘Harvesting Perales’ at Salcedo Auctions
Fernando Amorsolo’s ‘Harvesting Perales’ from 1949 (18 x 24 in)

Fernando Zobel’s Gestos XXIX-Climbing (1979), estimated at PHP 7,000,000 to PHP 7,500,000, is another highlight, marking Zobel’s 100th birth anniversary. Collectors of abstract art will also find key works from National Artists Cesar Legaspi, Jose Joya, and Arturo Luz, with Legaspi’s untitled canvas from 1971 and Luz’s monumental Black Forms, White Space (48 x 93 in) both commanding high estimates.

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Fernando Zobel’s Gestos XXIX-Climbing from 1979
Fernando Zobel’s Gestos XXIX-Climbing from 1979 (documented in Zobel’s Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings 1946-1984, measuring 24 x 16 in
HR Ocampo’s FiveDays Before Christmas
HR Ocampo’s FiveDays Before Christmas from 1976 (32 x 24 in)

Contemporary Art and Iconic Artifacts

Contemporary heavyweights Ronald Ventura, Jose John Santos III, and Rodel Tapaya lead the lineup of modern works. Ventura’s Second Skin (2009), estimated at PHP 12,000,000 to PHP 15,000,000, explores themes of identity through vivid pop culture references. Santos’ Handyman (2006) and Tapaya’s The Caretaker (2014) showcase their allegorical storytelling and technical prowess, with estimates reaching up to PHP 7,000,000 for Santos’ piece.

Jose John Santos III’s Handyman
Jose John Santos III’s Handyman from 2006 (33 x 37 in)
Rodel Tapaya’s book piece titled The Caretaker
Rodel Tapaya’s book piece titled The Caretaker from 2014 (60 x 48 in)

Beyond visual art, the auction includes historical artifacts, such as a prestigious hagabi bench from the Northern Uplands, estimated at PHP 3,300,000 to PHP 3,500,000, and a solid ivory Santo Niño Dormido adorned with gold jewelry, estimated at PHP 1,000,000 to PHP 1,200,000.

Ronald Ventura’s book piece titled Second Skin from 2009
Ronald Ventura’s book piece titled Second Skin from 2009 (84 x 60 in)

Viewing and Bidding Information

Salcedo Auctions will conduct the auction on September 14 at NEX Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, with live bidding and online participation available. 

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For inquiries, contact [email protected] or +63 917 107 5581. Keep updated by following @salcedoauctions on Instagram and Facebook.

Photos courtesy of Salcedo Auctions

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