Now Reading
Jose Rizal’s “extremely rare and historically important” sculpture will be auctioned

Jose Rizal’s “extremely rare and historically important” sculpture will be auctioned

Jose Rizal is a phenomenon. An ophthalmologist by profession, our country’s national hero is also a writer and all sorts of an artist. Consequently, he has a number of oeuvres—most of them are already at the National Art Gallery and most probably in some private residences.

Recently, the heirs of Narcisa, sister of Jose, conferred with Leon Gallery. They want the hero’s large wooden sculpture to be put on the block for auction. It’s an oval bas-relief wood sculpture (39 inches long, 18.5 inches wide, 2.5 inches high) carved from a heavy wood, possibly narra, made by Rizal during his exile in Dapitan (1892-1896). It’s set to be auctioned on June 9.

nolisoli jose rizal sculpture artowrk
Photo courtesy of Leon Gallery

The carving is said to be the “unique and first prototype of the Filipino: virile, muscular, and engaged in a highly civilized European display of strength.” It portrays a half-dressed young man in knee-length pantaloons, holding a barbell, showing off defined arms, tight abdomen, and a solid chest.

“In fact, a case may be made that this could be a self-portrait of the hero himself, as truly, the ‘First Filipino,’ not only gifted and mentally acute but also an outstanding physical specimen. Jose Rizal in profile, bears a striking resemblance to the athlete in the sculpture,” writes Leon Gallery in a statement.

Also according to the auction house, the piece’s provenance stems from the family of Narcisa as she and her daughter Angelica used to be frequent visitors to Dapitan. They also escorted Rizal when he came back to Manila at the end of his exile.

This is just one of the historically important lots at Leon Gallery’s Mid-Year Auction. Read here for more.

 

Featured image courtesy of Wikinut

Read more:
Historical proof of Aguinaldo’s betrayal now at Leon Gallery
Here’s what your phones need: An app that maps PH historical markers for you
Are you willing to pay $450 million for a Leonardo da Vinci painting?

Writer: YAZHMIN MALAJITO

akun Slot88 slot jackpot terbesar situs slot88 terpercaya Slot Paling Gacor Hari Ini slot pulsa Slot Terbaru Gampang Menang jackpot besar di Slot88
situs judi online terpercaya slot online tergacor situs slot gacor catur777 slot online idn poker judi bola sbobet slotgacormaxwin wwwl24.mitsubishielectric.co.jp game slot online QQLINE88 3mbola catur777
Agen Situs Pkv Games Terpercaya slot online
Situs Judi Bola Online situs idn poker idn poker
daftar gambar togel
PROBOLA agen daftar situs judi slot online terpercaya dengan games pragmatic play yang sangat populer
situs slot pulsa