‘Women with Baskets, Fish and Crab’ by Anita Magsaysay-Ho is sold at P52.6 M!

Last Saturday, the León Gallery auction successfully showcased the amazing art of the late Anita Magsaysay-Ho. And get this, it was sold at 52.6 million PHP! The Women with Baskets, Fish and Crab painting became the most sought-out work with a jaw-dropping P52.6 million price tag, including buyer’s premium.

The Spectacular Mid-Year Auction was co-presented by ANCX.ph, the lifestyle website of ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel.

Women with Baskets, Fish and Crab by Anita Magsaysay-Ho

Last February, Leon’s biggest moneymaker was also the work of the iconic painter. A personal favorite among her market scene paintings, Tinapa Vendors sold for P84 million.

Norma Belleza and Pacita Abad also broke their own world records. It is indeed a great day for empowered women. Abad’s stunning hand-stitched tapestry romped off with P3.5 million while Belleza’s Fishermen was sold for P1.5 million.

At P21 million, Vicente Manansala also broke out the market scene featuring two women vendors. On the other hand, Amorsolo’s own rendition of mango-sellers strolled off with nearly P8 million. His highly prized Tinikling took in almost double.

Going for P8.8 million, Ang Kiukok graced the gallery with the piece called Fighting Figures.

Meanwhile, Lao Lianben gained a brand-new world record for himself. It is with his great work, Gestures which featured a mysterious calligraphic swirl that attracted a trend-setting P14 million. His second work, Secrets came close to repeating the feat at P13 million.

Regional star Le Pho also didn’t fail to wow the crowd with his beautiful pieces. Director Jaime Ponce de Leon, the director of the Leon Gallery, described him as the Amorsolo of Vietnam. It is for his lyrical landscapes. Sold at P6 million is a still life of peonies and irises. Also, an untitled work depicting a woman in a pastel garden went for almost the same amount.

Indonesian superstar Christine Ay Tjoe brought in P4 million.

Takashi Murakami rang in P18.1 million for Hollow Multi, a field of his instantly recognizable smiling flowers. He is known as the man who started the revival of Japanese pop art.

Depicting the Presentation at the Temple from the Benito Legarda collection went for P2 million. Also, Lorenzo Guerrero was sold for P3.5 million.

Finally, at P3.5 million, Manuel Ocampo joined the fray, scoring another world record for his self-portrait. It is believed to be the oldest in the market today.