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Luna's 'Death of Cleopatra' boceto, Hidalgo's 'Draped Nude' up for auction

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Marie Lozano, ABS-CBN News

<p>The excitement is palpable as soon as you enter Makati-based Salcedo Auctions a day before the important Philippine art sale, which will put on the auction block 2 more works of masters Juan Luna and a Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. </p><p>It has been 6 months since the auction house stirred up the Philippine art industry when they presented the boceto or study of the Philippine national treasure, the &quot;Spoliarium&quot; by Juan Luna. </p><p>The boceto for &quot;Spoliarium&quot; sold at a record-breaking hammer price of P63 million despite questions on its authenticity. This is the second highest amount a Luna has been sold. </p><p>The highest amount paid for Luna’s work was P110 million for the “España Y Filipinas,” which is now part of the permanent exhibit at the National Gallery Singapore. </p><p>Salcedo Auctions director Richie Lerma believes the boceto for the &quot;Spoliarium&quot; was not undersold. </p><p>“We would have never dreamed to have reached that amount but I think people need to ask themselves. Is that the finished painting? No, it’s a study that someone paid almost P75 million for,” Lerma says.</p><p>In fact, Lerma adds, the European private collector’s family is over the moon with the result of the auction. </p><p>“They were only expecting P6 million. They just inherited that painting,&quot; he says.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/09/22/18/spoliarium-boceto-fetches-p63-million-at-auction">Spoliarium boceto fetches P63 million at auction</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1389451" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div><strong>ACT TWO</strong></div><p>Now, anticipation has heightened expectations for the sale of another boceto, this time for “Death of Cleopatra,” a celebrated artwork of Juan Luna that won him his first international accolade, and is displayed at the Museo del Prado in Madrid. </p><p>There is no telling how well the boceto for “Death of Cleopatra” will be received because of the unpredictable nature of auctions but it is also what makes it exciting according to the Makati auction house.</p><p>“That’s why people come because it’s really pure theater. People come and they want to watch what’s going to happen. It’s the newest spectators sport,” says Lerma. </p><p>Along with the boceto for “Death of Cleopatra,” next on the lot is an untitled work by Juan Luna and an untitled &quot;Draped Nude&quot; painting by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. </p><p>These works were kept a secret by the auction house to not detract attention away from the boceto for &quot;Spoliarium.&quot; </p><p>When the family first contacted Lerma, they sent photographs of all the works they had from the Filipino masters.</p><p>Similar to the skepticism received when the boceto for &quot;Spoliarium&quot; came out, Lerma anticipates that questions would again arise with the Luna and Hidalgo that resurfaced. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1389449" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Two of the works that will be up for sale are untitled works from the 2 masters. The second Luna for auction, &quot;The Hunting Party,&quot; is previously owned by the late Doña Maria Nunez Rodriguez and specifically from the branch of her family that used to own &quot;Espana y Filipinas.&quot;</p><p>Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s &quot;Draped Nude, Reclining in a Forest Landscape&quot; from the same family is also untitled. </p><p>Lerma says when it comes to authenticity in art they look at 3 things: one is history and style; second is provenance; and the third is material evidence.</p><div><strong>MILESTONE IN PHILIPPINE ART</strong></div><p>For the untitled Hidalgo, attributions are backed up by material analysis and hyper spectral imaging conducted by the world-renowned art forensics laboratory, Art Analysis and Research in London.</p><p>According to Lerma, “The laboratory report comes with the paintings so that’s something to really treasure. It’s a milestone for Philippine art.” </p><p>The art laboratory in London is the same one that gave its opinion in verifying a Leonardo Da Vinci painting that sold for US$450 million.</p><p>Lerma adds, “Somebody trusted them well enough to spend on a Da Vinci at US$450 million and what a thrill to have that same laboratory looking at our foremost artist Luna and Hidalgo. We are now in their radar.”</p><div><strong>ART BOOM</strong></div><p>In the business of buying and selling art, authenticity is always a question. No matter the skepticism, the record breaking sale of the boceto has bolstered the interest in the art industry in the Philippines. </p><p>The best art comes out when the market is at a high because as in any market for example when prices are very promising people see that as an opportunity as well to offer and unlock the highest possible value for their works. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_3_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_3" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1389447" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Case in point, the boceto for Cleopatra that was drawn out because of the successful September auction.</p><p>It’s undeniable the Philippine art landscape is dramatically changing and there is a heightened sense of national pride. </p><p>Lerma says that people realized the importance of what they have through the artworks. </p><p>“I think they begin to feel even more that these are legacy pieces that have been passed on to them. It has also of course encouraged owners of these important artworks to start bringing them out because they are seeing that the public is keenly interested in important works of art,” he adds.</p><p>Other important Philippine works of art that would be up for auction includes a large narra relief sculpture from national artist Carlos &quot;Botong&quot; Francisco. </p><p>A 1971 work in marble by the &quot;Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture&quot; Napoleon Abueva. Also featured are national artist Ang Kiukok’s unique cubist-expressionist aesthetic pieces and works by national artists, Jose Joya, and BenCab. </p><p>The auction will also feature works of famous contemporary artists Ronald Ventura, Manuel Ocampo, Maria Taniguchi, as well as emerging talents and many more artists.</p><p>The important Philippine art and furniture sale will be held Saturday, March 9, followed by jewelry and timepieces auction on March 10.</p>

<p>The excitement is palpable as soon as you enter Makati-based Salcedo Auctions a day before the important Philippine art sale, which will put on the auction block 2 more works of masters Juan Luna and a Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. </p>

The excitement is palpable as soon as you enter Makati-based Salcedo Auctions a day before the important Philippine art sale, which will put on the auction block 2 more works of masters Juan Luna and a Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.

Luna's 'Death of Cleopatra' boceto, Hidalgo's 'Draped Nude' up for auction

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Luna's 'Death of Cleopatra' boceto, Hidalgo's 'Draped Nude' up for auction

Marie Lozano,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 09, 2019 03:45 AM PHT

|

Updated Mar 09, 2019 03:23 PM PHT

Read More:

Salcedo Auctions

Juan Luna

Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo

painting

auction

Makati City

Spoliarium

Death of Cleopatra

Draped Nude

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