Description
Artes de las Filipinas: Private Collections, authored by Christiane L. de la Paz and published in 2009 by Artes de las Filipinas (EACOMM Corporation), is a visually stunning coffee-table monograph that presents the private art collections of thirty prominent Filipino collectors through thoughtful essays and richly reproduced artworks. Each collector is given ten to fourteen pages that feature representative works—spanning modern masters to contemporary artists—alongside biographical narratives that illuminate their motivations, tastes, and philosophies in collecting. The book spans 364 pages and includes 1,111 color illustrations meticulously printed and bound in Hong Kong, offering a sumptuous and immersive look into Philippine art patronage.
What sets this volume apart is its deliberate design and presentation. The first edition was limited to only 1,000 copies and featured six unique cover artworks—each design available in just 166 copies—fostering a sense of exclusivity and artistic identity. It also came with an interactive CD-ROM offering deeper engagement through trivia, portraits, and artwork details. More than a catalog, the work frames the concept of collecting as a personal journey with a beginning, middle, and end, suggesting that art collections are not just objects but extensions of the collector’s identity—destined for public education and enjoyment. With its scholarly yet accessible essays and breathtaking visuals, it remains a valuable reference for art scholars, students, and enthusiasts interested in Philippine art history and collecting practices.
