# Alfonso Ossorio artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/alfonso-ossorio/
Profile generated: 2026-05-23T02:58:25.082Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Birth date: 1916-08-02
- Nationality: American, Filipino
- Movements: Abstract Expressionism
- Common media: painting, sculpture, assemblage

## About Alfonso Ossorio

Alfonso Ossorio (1916–1990) was a Filipino American painter, sculptor, and assemblage artist associated with Abstract Expressionism. Born in Manila to a prominent family of Hispanic, Filipino, and Chinese heritage, he was educated in England before moving to the United States, where he studied fine art at Harvard University and the Rhode Island School of Design. A naturalized American citizen, Ossorio served as a medical illustrator in the U.S. Army during World War II, an experience that influenced the visceral quality of his later work. Closely connected to the post-war New York art scene, Ossorio maintained significant relationships with Jackson Pollock and Jean Dubuffet. His diverse output ranges from abstract paintings and wax-resist works to intricate assemblages, reflecting a singular voice within the broader Abstract Expressionist movement. With over 300 works documented in auction records, Ossorio's art continues to appear in the international market.

## Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Ossorio's abstract paintings in oil and mixed media, watercolor works, wax-resist drawings, sculptural assemblages incorporating found objects, and works on paper. His assemblages—often constructed from bones, shells, glass, and other materials on panel or wood—are distinctive and appear regularly at auction. Paintings from the 1950s and 1960s reflecting Abstract Expressionist influence are well-represented in auction records. Works on paper and smaller-scale mixed-media pieces constitute a significant portion of his documented auction presence.

## Market and appraisal context

Alfonso Ossorio's works appear at auction across several categories, including Post-War and Contemporary Art and American Art sales. His output spans paintings, watercolors, wax-resist drawings, sculptures, and assemblages—each medium attracting different collector segments. Provenance tied to his East Hampton estate, The Creeks, or to notable collections can significantly affect appraisal value. Collectors should consider medium, size, date, condition, and exhibition history when evaluating Ossorio works. His documented relationships with Jackson Pollock and Jean Dubuffet add contextual provenance interest. Auction results should be consulted for comparable pricing on specific work types.

## Appraisily data basis

Appraisily artist pages combine identity research from museum records, library authority files, and biographical scholarship with auction records, sale dates, realized prices, and comparable lot data when those records are available. For Alfonso Ossorio, this page draws on Getty ULAN, VIAF, RKD, and Wikidata authority files alongside published biographical sources.

## Sources

- RKD, Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/61078
- VIAF (OCLC): https://viaf.org/viaf/62853008/
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500026802
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q827547
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_A._Ossorio
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n80131171