Cesar Legaspi Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1917 - d. 1994

Filipino artist Cesar Legaspi, born in 1917, is well known for his Cubism-style paintings that unabashedly broach difficult social subjects and reveal the injustice of poverty. After studying at the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts, painter Cesar Legaspi went on to study at the Parisian Academie Ranson under celebrated artist Henri Bernard Goetz. Legaspi then began his career as an art director before delving into full-time painting.

With paintings ranging from realistic portrayals of beggars and workers to abstract Modernist nude forms, artist Cesar Legaspi's work is celebrated in the art world, and is still preserved in the National Museum of the Philippines. Cesar Legaspi nude paintings for sale are an excellent example of his ability to use geometric forms to convey compelling social messages. Art appreciators can generate powerful discussions by viewing many contemporary nude paintings available online.

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sold
Sep. 13, 2023
Ocampo & Legaspi Oil on Board Interaction Painting
Est: $15,000 - $25,000
Cesar Legaspi (Filipino, 1917-1994) and Hernando R. "HR" Ocampo (Filipino, 1911-1978). Oil on board painting from the "Interaction" series, 1972. Depicting interlocking forms in muted reds and blues that are iconic of Ocampo's "visual melody" period. The highly textured painting shows the signature look of Ocampo's paintings, who meticulously applied paint to his canvases with a small palette knife in methodical, small increments, changing from shade to shade with patience and care. Signed by both artists and dated by Legaspi along the lower right. With a label from the Cultural Center of the Philippines affixed along the verso. Exhibition: Cultural Center of the Philippines, "Interaction 1973," May 25 - June 24, 1973. Lot Essay: Both Legaspi and Ocampo were a part of the influential group known as the "Thirteen Moderns" who ushered in a modern style of painting to the Philippines. The group included Botong Francisco, Galo Ocampo, Lorenzo, Vicente Manansala, HR Ocampo, Anita Magasaysay-Ho, Cesar Legaspi, Demetrio Diego, Ricarte Purugganan, Jose Pardo, Bonifacio Cristobal and Arsenio Capili. This group interacted with each other often, collaborating to produce greater and greater works of art. Cesar Legaspi was a Filipino National Artist in painting. His early works often depicted cubist figures often described as showing the anguish and dehumanizing of the beggars and laborers in the city. In his early works he worked to refine Cubism and place it within a distinctly Filipino context, utilizing it to show the struggles his country faced in the wake of World War II. His focus on the human condition never faded even as he moved to a brighter palette and more abstract, geometric forms. He studied at the University of the Philippines and under the tutelage of Pablo C. Amorsolo before exhibiting his works at the Manila Hotel with other neo-realists in 1950. He held his first one-man show in 1963 at the Luz Gallery after studying for several years in Madrid and Paris. Until 1968 he split his time between working in advertising and painting before finally devoting his career to his artistic endeavors. He eventually became the head of the Saturday Group of Artists from 1978 until his death in 1994. Together with Legaspi and Vicente Manansala, Hernando Ruiz Ocampo (better known as HR Ocampo) was one of the three most significant figures who brought neo-realism to the Philippines. Ocampo was a self-taught artist whose works were noted for their unity and coherence throughout his career. As he shifted from neo-realism to abstract works in the 1960s, he began using more vivid paints and his paintings were sometimes likened to paint-by-number artworks. His works are self-defined by five distinct periods: the Amorsolo period from 1929-1934, the proletarian period from 1934-1945; the transitional period from 1945-1963; the mutants period from 1963-1968; and the visual melody period from 1968-1978. In addition to his inventive paintings, he was also a writer, playwright, and editor. He combined his love of art and writing for the creation of the monumental "Genesis" curtains in the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. In his signature undulating forms of red, orange, and yellow, these curtains define his style and personality.
Revere Auctions
sold
Sep. 09, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Justin Nuyda (1944 - 2022) Alfredo Roces (b. 1932) - The Garden
Est: PHP1,000,000 - PHP1,300,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Justin Nuyda (1944 - 2022) Alfredo Roces (b. 1932) The Garden signed and dated 1975 (lower right) oil on canvas 32” x 23 1/2” (81 cm x 60 cm) Though we often speak of art history in terms of individuals, their techniques, and their masterpieces, once in a blue moon we come across a piece that not only brings together masters and their craft, but acts as a synthesis that allows us to see the fruition of an artistic movement. The work at hand is an oil on canvas collaborative piece that brings together notable Modernists that helped define Filipino art in the 20th Century. In the pursuit of the groundbreaking ideals and aspirations that defined the 20th century, Cesar Legaspi, one of the Thirteen Moderns, played a pivotal role in reshaping the local artistic landscape. Notably, he adapted the fundamental principles of cubism to harmonize with the unique language of Filipino art. This innovative approach not only pays tribute to Cubism's storied roots but also establishes a distinct technique that unquestionably paved the way for numerous local artists, collectors, and enthusiasts. In Justin Nuyda's realm of artistry, the allure and dream-like quality of his works have consistently captivated audiences. With a distinct and refined grace, Nuyda's brush breathes life into his surreal creations, which are born from his visionary perspective. While abstraction was not a new concept in his era, Nuyda left an indelible mark by shifting the primary entry point of perception in abstraction from sensation to cognition. Lastly, although he is mostly known for his contributions to Philippine art history and theory, Alfredo Roces is also considered a talented visual artist. In between chronicling the achievements of several National Artists in his writing assignments, Roces wields his artistic brush with finesse. He honed his skills by studying Fine Arts at the Arts Students League of New York and the University of Notre Dame. Over the years, his art has undergone a steady evolution, transitioning from abstract to figurative expressions across various mediums. In recognition of his talents, he earned the title of Artist of the Year from the Art Association of the Philippines in 1975. In the work at hand, one can see that although all three artists have developed and well-known styles, when placed together, they reveal to us a visual language unique to the overarching philosophy of art that dominated their area. The result is a coherent microcosm of Filipino modernism. (Jed Daya)
Leon Gallery
sold
Sep. 09, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) - Dancing Nude (sic)
Est: PHP1,200,000 - PHP1,560,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Dancing Nude (sic) signed and dated 1974 (lower right) oil on canvas 28" x 22" (71 cm x 56 cm) Cesar Legaspi’s Dancing Nude was among the works showcased in the seminal “Five Directions” exhibition held at the Museum of Philippine Art (MOPA) from October 31 to December 22, 1980. Spearheaded by its founding director Arturo Luz, the MOPA’s “Five Directions” was a groundbreaking show as it “put together in one exhibition certain stylistic tendencies moving along similar lines,” writes the exhibit’s curator and eminent art critic Rod. ParasPerez. The show assembled the best and brightest in the Philippine art scene of the post-war period: the NeoRealists, the Non-Objectives, the “Lakeshore” Artists, The Macro-Visionaries/Magic Realists/Hyper Realists, and the CCP Group. Returning to Legaspi’s Dancing Nude, the work is emblematic of the artist’s creative praxis during the 1970s, in which “he referred to objective reality as only as an undertone to his powerful abstract images,” as critic Alicia Coseteng writes in the book Art Philippines. By the 1960s, Legaspi had started to veer towards abstraction, and the 1970s would mark the consummate realization of this style. Legaspi depicts two nude figures, a man and a woman. He weaves Expressionism with his trademark Cubist language, underscoring the intensity of colors and irregularity yet solidity of forms. The Neo-Realist spirit of painting renewed perspectives on the often harsh reality is ever-present in this work. Both figures seemingly merge with the space around them, dancing their way to form one coherent whole. Legaspi’s radical fragmentation results in the overlapping of different elements in the composition, giving birth to an enigmatic harmonious oneness. Although depicting nudes, eroticism is not expressed but what is likely the struggling Filipino collective spirit in the immediate period of post-war rehabilitation, all the more so in the period of dictatorial rule in the 1970s— when this work was painted—in which people from all walks of life confronted in solidarity the contradicting elements of resilience, hope, and anguish brought by the darkness of the socio-economic and socio-political landscape of the time. Coseteng writes in the same monograph: “Legaspi’s leitmotif is a concern for the disinherited, struggling to exist in a harsh world. The social content of his mural reflects the influence of the protest movements of the postwar period.” (Adrian Maranan)
Leon Gallery
sold
Jul. 29, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP29,000 - PHP37,700
Urban Residential signed (lower right) architecture Sketch 3 1/4” x 2 3/4” (8 cm x 7 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Jun. 17, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP800,000 - PHP1,040,000
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY Orchids signed and dated 1985 (lower right) oil on canvas 30" x 22" (76 cm x 56 cm) PROVENANCE: Acquired directly from the artist Apart from elusive works that evoke deep and powerful emotions, Cesar Legaspi also painted flowers. A charming subject since ancient times, flowers portrayed in art could symbolize love, passion, and purity. For the lot at hand, orchids are the chosen muse, and this kind of flower is said to represent beauty, femininity, and even affection for the dead. The artist was renowned for his distinctive style and daring themes, and thus his floral paintings are regarded as more than imaginative decorations. His still life compositions of flowers were the physical manifestations of his recurring interest in natural life. The petaled plants, a theme that is considered unique from the usual ones he pursued throughout his artistic career, were depicted often as freshly-cut and arranged in an ornate vase on a cloth-covered table. However, as observed on the canvas, the orchids bloom in their natural state, beautiful and glowing in the dark background. Years after the Legaspi oil piece was created in 1985, his career and contributions to the modern art world led him to be granted the most-coveted title of National Artist in 1990. (P.I.R.)
Leon Gallery
sold
Jun. 17, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP200,000 - PHP260,000
a. Kennon Road b. Landscape c. Landscape a. Kennon Road signed, inscribed Kennon Road, and dated 1978 (lower right) watercolor on paper 14" x 10" (36 cm x 25 cm) b. Landscape signed, inscribed Layug, Barcelona, Sorsogon, and dated May 18, 1978 (lower left) watercolor on paper 11 1/2" x 9 3/4" (29 cm x 25 cm) c. Landscape signed and dated 1977 (lower left) watercolor on paper 15" x 21 3/4" (38 cm x 55 cm) PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Manila Apart from his iconic cubist oeuvres, Cesar Legaspi also painted dreamlike landscapes. He decided to depict the lots at hand desolated and absent of human presence, evoking in his art that nature is alive and survives. The nature paintings are pleasing to the eye, in spite of the fact that the artist was color blind, interchanging red for green oftentimes. Fortunately, in these pieces, there is no need to resort to the imagination because the landscapes are indeed in the rich colors of a verdant forest. The scenic views on the watercolor canvases are beautiful locations in Baguio and Bicol. In Kennon Road, he portrayed a wellknown route of the same name where one can marvel at a panoramic sight of mountains and lush forests. And, in Landscape inscribed with “Layug, Barcelona, Sorsogon,” Legaspi portrayed the province that houses the centuryold Barcelona Church. He holds the record of five retrospective exhibitions at different venues, one of which was held at the Museum of Philippine Art in 1978. A few years later, he was awarded the most-coveted title of National Artist for Visual Arts in 1990. (P.I.R.)
Leon Gallery
sold
May. 29, 2023
CESAR LEGASPI (1917-1994) Brainstorm oil on canvas 109 x 138 cm. (42 7/8 x
Est: HKD550,000 - HKD850,000
CESAR LEGASPI (1917-1994) Brainstorm oil on canvas 109 x 138 cm. (42 7/8 x 54 3/8 in.)
Christie's
sold
Apr. 22, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Untitled
Est: PHP70,000 - PHP91,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Untitled signed and dated 1971 (lower right) watercolor on paper) 8 1/2” x 12 1/4” (21 cm x 30 cm PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTATNT PRIVATECOLLECTION
Leon Gallery
sold
Apr. 22, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) i. Untitled ii. Untitled
Est: PHP45,000 - PHP58,500
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) i. Untitled ii. Untitled i. signed and dated 1957 (lower right) ii. signed and dated 1954 (lower right) graphite on paper each i. 6” x 9” (15 cm x 23 cm) ii. 4 1/2” x 7” (11 cm x 18 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Apr. 22, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Nude
Est: PHP40,000 - PHP52,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Nude signed and dated 1977 (lower right) charcoal on paper 14” x 21” (36 cm x 53 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Apr. 22, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Lady
Est: PHP50,000 - PHP65,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Lady signed and dated 1981 (lower right) charcoal on paper 20 1/2” x 14” (52 cm x 36 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Feb. 18, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP120,000 - PHP156,000
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A DISTINGUISHED COUPLE Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Landscape signed and dated 1976 (lower right) pastel on paper 18" x 24" (46 cm x 61 cm) Cesar Legaspi was color blind, interchanging red for green oftentimes. Fortunately, in this pastel-on-paper piece, there is no need to resort to the imagination because the landscape is indeed in the lush colors of a verdant forest. Although he had a reduced ability to discern color or differences in color, this did not deter him from pursuing his passion for art. Legaspi is an inspiration to everyone, as seen in how he overcame his challenge and made an important contribution to Philippine art. From a Tatler article, Legaspi’s “distinctive style and daring themes contributed significantly to the advent and eventual acceptance of modern art in the Philippines.” He holds the record of five retrospective exhibitions at different venues, one of which was held at the Museum of Philippine Art in 1978, two years after the creation of this 1976 piece. Legaspi was awarded the coveted title of National Artist for Visual Arts in 1990, a few years before he passed away at the age of 76. (P.I.R.)
Leon Gallery
sold
Jan. 21, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP120,000 - PHP156,000
a) Still Life b) - m) Untitled n) Untitled I and II o) Untitled embossed signature (lower right/ lower left) each pen and ink on paper each 2” x 4” (5 cm x 10 cm) to 5 1/2” x 3” (14 cm x 8 cm) Each piece is accompanied by individual certificates issued by the artist’s estate confirming the authenticity of this lot.
Leon Gallery
sold
Jan. 21, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP25,000 - PHP32,500
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Untitled signed and dated 1974 (lower right) conte crayon 18” x 12” (46 cm x 30 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Jan. 21, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP10,000 - PHP13,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Untitled ca. 1970s embossed signature (lower right) oil on paper 4” x 3” (10 cm x 8 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Jan. 21, 2023
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP15,000 - PHP19,500
a) Eglise Notre Dame de Bon Secour signed and dated 1979 (lower right) hand signed hand numbered lithograph, 99/250 11” 1/2 x 11” (29 cm x 28 cm) b) Eglise St. Sulpice, Paris signed and dated 1979 (lower right) hand signed hand numbered lithograph, 99/250 11” 1/2 x 11” (29 cm x 28 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Dec. 03, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Nude
Est: PHP40,000 - PHP52,000
PROPERTY FROM THE SENATOR LETICIA RAMOS SHAHANI COLLECTION Nude signed and dated 1977 (lower right); dedicated "To Letty Shahani with my best wishes" (lower right) pastel on paper 20 1/2" x 12 1/2" (52 cm x 32 cm) Cesar Legaspi’s renditions of the nude are reminiscent of his time as a graphic illustrator prior to pursuing a full-time career in painting. In the case of this particular piece, Legaspi bares the sublimity of the female figure in its unclad beauty. The work at hand is a gift from Legaspi to Leticia Shahani. By depicting the female nude as an empowered figure, free from inhibitions and able to express her femininity confidently, Legaspi enkindles a reclaiming of the female narrative. Thus, this piece was a fitting gift to an empowered woman who defied all odds to become a pioneering Filipina diplomat and lawmaker amid a male-dominated political arena. (A.M.)
Leon Gallery
sold
Oct. 22, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP6,000 - PHP7,800
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Untitled ca. 1970 embossed signature (lower right) oil on paper 4” x 3” (10 cm x 8 cm) This piece is accompanied by a certificate issued by Mr. Dennis K. Legaspi confirming the authenticity of this lot PROVENANCE The Luz Gallery
Leon Gallery
sold
Oct. 22, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP12,000 - PHP15,600
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Untitled oil on paper 12” x 7” (30 cm x 18 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Oct. 22, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994)
Est: PHP25,000 - PHP32,500
Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994) Landscape signed and dated 1992 (lower right) pastel on paper 12” x 18 3/4” (30 cm x 48 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Oct. 22, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994)
Est: PHP20,000 - PHP26,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994) Untitled signed and dated 1982 (lower left) watercolor on paper 10 1/2” x 14 1/2” (26 cm x 37 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Oct. 22, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994)
Est: PHP8,000 - PHP10,400
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Untitled (Nude) signed and dated 1973 (lower right) graphite on paper 12” x 9” (30 cm x 23 cm)
Leon Gallery
sold
Oct. 22, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994)
Est: PHP18,000 - PHP23,400
Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994) Nude signed and dated 1971 (lower right) graphite on paper 4” x 5 1/2” (10 cm x 14 cm) PROPERTY FROM THE JOSE ZAIDE COLLECTION
Leon Gallery
sold
Sep. 10, 2022
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) - Trees
Est: PHP180,000 - PHP234,000
Cesar Legaspi (1917 - 1994) Trees signed and dated 1978 (lower center) watercolor on paper 22" x 12" (56 cm x 30 cm) PROPERTY FROM THE ANTONIO GATMAITAN COLLECTION Known for his extensive body of work that depict heroism, heritage and virtue Cesar Legaspi has melded into his art a distinct Filipino character that bears with it a sense of place and culture that is wholly unique to the country’s history and aesthetic. As one of the Thirteen Moderns, Legaspi helped develop and revolutionize the local artistic landscape in order to accommodate the groundbreaking ideals and aspirations that defined the 20th century. In this particular work, one can see Legaspi mastery over the medium of watercolor. Though watercolor was not a particularly new medium inherent to the 20th Century and or Modernism, its often challenging and unpredictable nature made it a medium of interest by Modernists, such as Legaspi, who wanted to push the limits of art and artistic experimentation. Such is the case with this piece. Though it features a common scene, Legaspi emphasis on form and color affords it a particularly Modernist flair that separates it from previous works done in the same medium.
Leon Gallery