PASSING ON THE HEIRLOOM
The Kiss goes home to the National Museum
Feeling her age and not having heirs to whom she and her brother, Marco
Costamagna could legate their family’s substantial art collection, Alba Costamagna, a well-known personality in the Italian and international cultural and artistic world, embarked in informing the public of their family’s rich art collection. It is from this place that she felt that the twin busts Kiss, by Filipino artist Diosdado M. Lorenzo, would be more appreciated in the Philippines.
Three years followed in which Constamagna tried to sell the busts on her own during which time she also contacted the Philippines Embassy in Rome. Fortunately, Maya Cini, daughter of Filipino painter, Lina
Llaguno Ciani, was working at the Philippine Embassy at that time. Cini informed Constamagna of Silvana
Diaz, owner and artistic director of Galleria Duemila and VP for Culture of the Philippine-Italian Association. Diaz was informed of the two busts and Alba’s intention to sell them in the Philippines. Diaz offered to explore the possibility to sell the busts in the local market, but after realizing that the local market was not ready
for this transaction, Diaz suggested to Costamagna to donate the two pieces to the National Museum of the Philippines, where a series of paintings by Lorenzo were already displayed.
Alba Costamagna and her brother Marco were receptive to the idea especially upon discovering that there were very few sculptures in Diosdado Lorenzo’s art collection in the National Museum. Diaz approached the museum and proposed to donate the twin sculptures, which were gratefully accepted. She also coordinated with the National Museum and the donor to arrange for the shipment, the expenses of which were eventually included in the generous and meaningful deed of donation by the Costamagna’s Family.
“We are deeply proud and delighted that the twin busts portraying Enrico Costamagna and Diosdado Lorenzo himself is finally in the Philippines, on display at the National Museum to enrich national artistic heritage and for posterity,” says Diaz. “The busts are displayed with one facing the other, as they would during long conversations they would have during their times together. In our eyes this generous donation represents one of the best expressions of the bonds of friendship between Italy and the Philippines.”
The unveiling ceremony of the two busts by Diosdado Magno Lorenzo took place at the National Museum of Fine Arts last May 23.
The busts are intended to be displayed one facing the other, as they would during long conversations they would have during their times together.