A controversial painting attributed to the late artist Jorge Pineda (1837-1907) sold for PHP5-million at last weekend’s The Magnificent September Auction held by Léon Gallery Fine Art & Antiques.
The opening bid for the oil painting Las Buyeras (71″x 58″), originally from the collection of National Artist Dr. Alejandro R. Roces, started at PHP700,000. It depicts betel nut vendors in the Philippines and had won third prize at the 1904 St Louis World’s Fair Exposition in Chicago, USA, at the same time Juan Luan received the gold and Felix Resureccion-Hidalgo won silver.
At the auction’s preview a few weeks ago, the auctioneers had placed a notice to bidders addressing this issue.
[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_original”,”fid”:”21824″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”,”height”:”535″,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”width”:”400″}}]]
“Léon Gallery has received unconfirmed reports that people asserting to be descendants of Jorge Pineda claim that they are in possession of the Las Buyeras painting that won in the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. These persons have not contacted either the gallery nor the consignor…Prospective bidders are hereby put on notice of this alleged claim.
“The gallery and the consignor both maintain that the piece up for auction is an authentic work of Jorge Pineda. As to whether this piece is the award-winning piece, we believe that the reputation of the piece is a strong argument, but must of all the quality of the workmanship of the painting, and the exquisite nature of this piece speaks volumes for itself.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer has an interview with a descendant of the artist, and she maintains that the original award-winning painting, plus a smaller version, are both in their family’s possession.
Other top gainers during the weekend auction were Colors by Jigger Cruz which sold for PHP1.3-million from an opening bid of PHP30,000; Daang Ligid Krus by Alfredo Esquillo Jr (from PHP30,000 to PHP1.3-million); a Hispano-Philippine 19th century crucifix (PHP350,000 to PHP2-million); an untitled work by Macario Vitalis (PHP120,000 to PHP2.2-million).
