The timeless Amorsolo light permeates The Magnificent September Auction 2025 on Sept. 13, 2025, with the maestro’s paintings of the scenic Philippine countryside and its diligent folk. Among the masterpieces in this much-awaited Leon Gallery auction is Fernando Amorsolo’s 1938 work, Water Carrier, painted during the maestro’s golden years, a striking example of his art that became a cornerstone of Philippine art heritage.
León Gallery has been presenting an encompassing scope of Philippine art and culture heritage, from the old masters’ paintings and modernist works to the contemporary art of the new breed of Filipino artists, to the nation’s most important historical documents and artifacts. The gallery’s pool of experts lends scholarly knowledge to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the roster for auction.
In every León Gallery auction, the works of classical artists Fernando Amorsolo and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo almost always take center stage.
Félix Resurrección Hidalgo (1855–1913), ‘A Native House in a River Glade,’ signed (‘verso’), dated and inscribed ‘Mayo 1877’ (lower left), oil on canvas, 19” x 10 3/4” (48 cm x 27 cm)
Félix Resurrección Hidalgo (1855–1913), ‘Untitled (Venus and the Swan),’ ca. 1880s, oil on canvas, 79” x 51 1/4” (200 cm x 130 cm)
Two of Hidalgo’s paintings are also on sale, representing two distinct spectrums of his artistic career. The first one is A Native House in a River Glade, painted in 1877, a rare piece from his Philippine Period, which is comprised of only around 15 extant paintings known to date. The other is a monumental work, Hidalgo’s enthralling portrait of the Roman goddess of love, Venus.
Aside from Amorsolo and Hidalgo, this year’s Magnificent September Auction presents works from three of the unsung masters of classical realism in Philippine art. They did not just follow the widespread Amorsolo light and tradition; they walked alongside him, if not widening the very path he walked on, in the preservation and propagation of traditional genre painting.
Born in 1859, Félix Martínez y Lorenzo belonged to the generation of Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo. His frequent travels to the countryside, from Ilocos Sur in the north to as far south as Zamboanga, birthed his “Vistas of the Philippine countryside” series, which showcases tranquil landscapes and the everyday life of natives.
Félix Martínez y Lorenzo (1859–1916), ‘Vistas del Rio Pasig,’ signed, dated and inscribed ‘Manila 1897’ (lower right), oil on canvas, 8 1/4” x 12” (21 cm x 30 cm)
In Vistas del Rio Pasig, painted in 1897, Martinez captures a serene river, lined on both sides with towering trees. There are bahay kubo along the riverbanks, a man plowing the field with his carabao, and a woman washing clothes on a makeshift pier. With this piece as an example, his fine brushwork and realistic portrayals of the paisaje or country landscape earned him the reputation of being a master of the paisaje.
At the heart of Teodoro Buenaventura’s oeuvre are his resplendent landscapes populated with people engaged in various tasks. His masterful strokes and palette, drawn from the majestic colors of nature, breathe life into his works, capturing the Philippine landscape.
Teodoro Buenaventura (1863–1950), a) ‘Barrio Scene,’ signed and dated ‘8-25-32’ (lower right), oil on canvas, 22 1/2” x 17 1/4” (57 cm x 44 cm); b) ‘Landscape,’ signed, dated 1931, and inscribed ‘Amadeo, Cavite’ (lower right), oil on masonite board, 24” x 18” (61 cm x 46 cm)
Buenaventura’s Barrio Scene (1932) and Landscape (1931) reveal the merry but hardworking life of the taga-ilog or river people. Both works depict a magnificent riverscape: the industrious yet untroubled folks are reflected in the calm and clear waters, the lush foliage surrounding and protecting them from the heat of the fiery sun. These paintings exude a relaxed atmosphere, the artist’s light and warmth like a comforting embrace, filling his renditions of countryside life with contentment and tranquility.
Beyond his canvases, Teodoro Buenaventura extended his artistry and sphere of influence to the academe. He was one of the founding teachers of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts, who taught several notable Filipino artists.
Like Buenaventura, Pablo Amorsolo, younger brother of Fernando Amorsolo, is credited as a mentor who helped shape the careers of many aspiring artists. He learned the rudiments of art from his uncle, the venerable Fabian de la Rosa. While Fernando is celebrated for his vibrant and sunlit canvases, the younger Pablo’s paintings use a more subdued, monochromatic palette.
From the Jose Abad Lopez Collection: Pablo Amorsolo (1898–1945), ‘Seascape,’ signed and dated 1943 (lower left), oil on canvas, 14” x 20” (36 cm x 51 cm)
Seascape, painted during the Japanese occupation, mirrors an idyllic Philippines. In view is a scenic view by the shore, a group of fishermen securing their boats after a long day at sea. The waters are calm, the mountain’s features illuminated, and the entire scenery bathed in the moon’s soft glow, completely separate from the war that was unfolding at the time.
Another similarity among Martinez, Buenaventura, and Amorsolo is their frequent travels to nearby and far-flung provinces to bask in picturesque nature and observe the populace, enabling them to create precise depictions of the countryside. The aforementioned paintings give the viewers a glimpse of the bygone days of Philippine life.
Regrettably, most of their works were destroyed by the ravages of the Second World War, and their names buried in the sands of time, overshadowed by the likes of Fernando Amorsolo and succeeding modernists. But there is no denying Félix Martinez, Teodoro Buenaventura, and Pablo Amorsolo, and their skills and contributions to the art scene, especially with the rise and continuation of the classical tradition in Philippine art. Their works, included in this landmark sale, are proof of their enduring legacy as some of the country’s masters of classical realism.
León Gallery’s The Magnificent September Auction 2025 will be held on 13 September 2025, Saturday, at 2 pm. The preview exhibit will run from September 6 to September 12, from 9 am to 7 PpmM, at G/F Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
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