2017 a landmark year for Fernando Zobel
SPANISH-FILIPINO artist Fernando Zóbel was 60 when he died in Rome is 1984. The keepers of his legacy in the Philippines and in Spain continue to keep the artist’s legacy alive: these are Museo del Arte Abstracto Español in Cuenca, Spain, and the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Ayala Museum in the Philippines.
This year has seen a confluence of initiatives that squarely affirm his position in the world stage. In May, after a 55-year absence, Zóbel returned to Biennale Arte 2017 in Venice, Italy in an exhibit mounted by the Ayala Museum titled Zóbel. Contrapuntos. The exhibition was among 22 collateral events selected by artistic director Christine Macel and runs until Nov. 26.
There is also the ongoing catalogue raisonné of Zóbel’s paintings, which began in 2016. A catalogue raisonné is considered as a definitive and scholarly source on the complete body of work of highly notable artists. The publication of a catalogue raisonné is a significant development in any artist’s career. The production itself is an equally major undertaking, often taking several years to complete as it involves a great number of people and institutions from all over the world. The catalogue raisonné of famous names in art such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso took between 11 to 46 years to complete. Catalogues raisonnés are of great interest in the art market, as they are used as official reference for the authenticity of works.
The Ayala Museum is tasked to gather information about all known paintings by Fernando Zóbel in public and private collections in the Philippines and the rest of Asia. All information associated with ownership of the work is strictly confidential, and wishes for anonymity will be fully respected.
To submit information, download or accomplish the registration form at
or contact the Ayala Museum Research and Publications Team by calling (632) 759-8299 or e-mail research@ayalamuseum.org.
The Fernando Zóbel catalogue raisonné is made possible through the tripartite partnership of Fundación Juan March, Fundación Azcona (Spain), and Ayala Foundation, Inc. (Philippines).