The painting that visualizes this column is the 68 by 53 cm. (26 2/3 by 20 2/3 in.) oil
with a dark turquoise background entitled Fillette au chapeau (Girl with Hat) by Belgian artist Leon Herbo (1850-1907), according to iamachild.wordpress.com/tag/leon-herbo/. It is estimated to have been created in 1880 with a price estimate of 1,500 to 2,000 euros by Artvalue.com.
An oil on canvas of the same size as Herbo’s painting, but with a flesh color background entitled Una Damita (Portrait of Ana Maria Gonzalvez) by Félix Resurrección Hidalgo (1853–1913) dated 1901 was put on the block in Salcedo Auctions’ Important Philippine Art as Lot 144 with the estimated price of P7 million to P9 million on September 17 at 2 p.m.
Salcedo Auction’s online catalog traces its provenance: “It is not difficult to imagine little Ana Maria Gonzalvez walking hand in hand with her father Antonio to Félix Resurrección Hidalgo’s Paris studio at 65 Boulevard Arago to sit for her portrait. The address would be familiar to Philippine art enthusiasts as it was also Juan Luna’s studio until 1898. Hidalgo took over the studio when Luna abandoned it.
“It is also easy to envision the little girl fidgeting and getting bored — note her folded hands and fiddling fingers — and the long hours she had to sit still for the portrait. The result, however, is nothing short of astonishing. Here, Hidalgo captures in full detail Ana Maria’s sweet innocence by masterfully depicting her cherubic face and penetrating eyes. The fashionable dress with its pansy flower detail and the chic chapeau of the ‘damita’ or ‘little princess’ complete what is arguably one of the most realistic portraits painted by Hidalgo.
“Together with La Inocencia, Girl in a Forest, La Puesta del Sol, Portrait of Teresa Tuason, and the artist’s self-portrait, Una Damita (Portrait of Ana Maria Gonzalvez) was painted in 1901.
“Extremaduran Antonio Gonzalvez was a Spanish emigré to Paris, and his family had interests in the hospitality industry. He was a good friend of Hidalgo (evidenced by the dedication inscribed on the painting) and a great admirer of his art. Being a successful businessman, and as was the fashion among the bourgeoisie at that time, Gonzalvez could afford to have his daughter’s portrait painted by one of the Paris Salon’s most important painters, whose works were entered hors concours in France’s most important art exhibitions.
“Ana Maria Gonzalvez died during the Second World War, and the painting was inherited by her daughter, and later passed on to a female grandchild. The painting was purchased directly by the present owner from its last Parisian owner Mme Gérome. While Ana Maria was not a member of glitzy Parisienne society, her young, innocent and beautiful visage lives on to be admired by art lovers for generations to come — a testament to Hidalgo’s sure hand, eye for detail, and supreme artistry.”
Lot 144 was unsold, but its site states it was sold in a “private treaty.”
Assuming that all information stated here are correct, how can a painting have a doppelganger? It cannot be claimed that Herbo plagiarized from Hidalgo. This issue has to be clarified as Salcedo Auctions is a prestigious auction company.
TEASER OF ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK 2 SCREENS THIS SEPTEMBER 30. After a long absence in the big screen, Ms. Eugene Domingo returns! From Mila in “Walang Wala” of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, Eugene takes the role of Romina in “The Itinerary” of its sequel, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2. Watch out for the film-within-a-film teaser trailer of this on September 30!
The gang is back in the most anticipated sequel to the award-winning and commercially acclaimed and Philippine foreign language film submission to the Oscars: Rainier, Jocelyn, Lennon and director Marlon Rivera with writer Chris Martinez.
So are Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez, Khalil Ramos with the special participation of very special guest artists: Joel Torre, Jericho Rosales and Isidro. What a beautiful cast, literally and figuratively. Hindi halatang may mabaho sa pelikula!
Who will win between the two Cesars in Romina’s life in “The Itinerary?” Or is there a third Cesar entering the picture? The only way to find out is to watch!
Laugh trip to the nth level!
ROLLING STONE MAG GOING RETAIL. Jann Wenner co-founded Rolling Stone magazine 50 years ago and his son, Gus Wenner, head of digital at Wenner Media, will sell a 49 percent stake in the publication to Singapore-based social music company BandLab Technologies.
Gus said the company sees “enormous opportunity” for Rolling Stone to enter “new areas of business.” The deal is positioned as a chance for Rolling Stone to move into digital and retail, and to expand its influence in Asia. An international subsidiary will be created and headquartered in Singapore.
BandLab was created by Meng Ru Kuok, the son of the billionaire founder of the world’s biggest palm oil company. BandLab’s signature product is its eponymous music making and sharing app, but the business also has ties to retail. It recently bought MONO, a music instrument accessories company.
GALLERIE CMG AT MANILART 2016. Participating at the ManilArt 2016, Gallerie CMG features the paintings of Tess Duldulao and Roger San Miguel and also introduces the sculptural works of John “Pope” Dalisay, grand prize winner in the 2016 GSIS and Art Association of the Philippines art competitions and landscape artist Adler Llagas.
Duldulao is a graduate of the UP School of Fine Arts where artistic luminaries as Jose Joya, Juvenal Sansó, Larry Alcala, Rodolfo Ragodon, Hugo Yonzon, Celia Diaz-Laurel and Jose “Pitoy” Moreno underwent the tutelage of Dean Fernando Amorsolo.
Known for hyper-realistic renditions of still life on a draped table with folds of meticulously detailed calado embroidery, they are surrounded by flowers from baby’s breath to roses that she accents with an Oriental plate or pottery.
Focusing on creating artworks for the global market, San Miguel was rectified by Gallerie CMG by adapting classic themes in Philippine arts such as Mother and Child and nature, and his works were snapped up by collectors.
Gallerie CMG is at Polylite House, Km 18 along Alabang-Zapote Road, Talon Dos, Las Piñas City; and Unit 3318 Festival Mall Expansion, Alabang, Muntinlupa. Call 0998-8719785, 0998-9617478.
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The curious case of the doppelganger paintings
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