Filipino artists make a mark in fine art auction sales: Amorsolo, Ventura, and Zobel de Ayala shine in 2022 rankings
Insights into the success of three diverse artists in the ever-changing world of fine art auctions
The world of fine art auctions is a complex and ever-changing one, with trends coming and going and prices fluctuating wildly based on a variety of factors. However, when we look at art market research firm Artprice’s Top 500 Artists by Fine Art Auction Sales in 2022, we can gain some insight into who the top performers were in the art world over the past year.
Rank No. 367 on this list is held by Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo, whose sales totaled $4,770,437 (~₱259,071,762). Amorsolo, who lived from 1892 to 1972, is widely considered one of the most important artists in the Philippines, and his work often depicts rural scenes and everyday life in his home country. With 55 lots sold and 14 unsold, his best result was an impressive $460,164 (~₱24,987,840). This is a strong showing for an artist who has been deceased for half a century, and it suggests that his work continues to resonate with collectors and art enthusiasts around the world.
Another Filipino artist, Ronald Ventura, holds the No. 445 spot on the list with sales of $3,865,258 (~₱209,891,364). Born in 1973, Ventura is a contemporary artist whose work often incorporates elements of pop culture, street art, and graffiti. His 23 lots sold and 12 unsold put him in a somewhat lower position than Amorsolo, but his best result of $1,024,911 (~₱55,652,955) is the highest of any of the Filipino artists on this list. This suggests that while Ventura’s work may not be as consistently popular as Amorsolo’s, there is a strong market for it among those who appreciate contemporary art.
Finally, at No. 449 is Fernando Zobel de Ayala, whose sales totaled $3,851,164 (~₱209,119,287). Zobel de Ayala lived from 1924 to 1984 and is known for his abstract paintings that incorporate elements of Spanish culture and tradition. With 68 lots sold and 12 unsold, his best result was $782,135 (~₱42,470,150). While not as high as Ventura’s best result, Zobel de Ayala’s consistent sales volume suggests that his work is in demand among collectors and investors.
So what can we glean from these rankings? One thing that stands out is the strong showing of Filipino artists. While the art world is often dominated by European and American artists, the success of Amorsolo, Ventura, and Zobel de Ayala shows that there is a growing appreciation for artists from other parts of the world. Additionally, the fact that all three of these artists come from different time periods and stylistic traditions suggests that there is no one formula for success in the art world. Rather, what matters most is the quality of the work and the degree to which it resonates with collectors and enthusiasts.
Of course, it’s worth noting that these rankings are just one snapshot of the art world at a particular moment in time. Auction prices can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the state of the economy, changing tastes among collectors, and even the whims of individual buyers. Nonetheless, by looking at the Top 500 Artists by Fine Art Auction Sales in 2022, we can gain some insight into the artists who are currently resonating with collectors and investors. Whether these trends will continue in the years to come remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that these three Filipino artists are making a strong impression on the art world.
($1.00 = ₱54.31)