The painting Family in the Garden – famous artist Le Pho was “hammered” for more than 55 billion VND
In April 2023, in the auction celebrating Sotheby’s 50th anniversary in the Asian market, the painting “The Family in the Garden” (La famille dans le jardin) by famous artist Le Pho was “hammered” for 2.37 million USD (more than 55 billion VND). This is the work “hammered” with the second highest price in the history of Vietnamese fine arts (after Mai Trung Thu’s “Portrait of Miss Phuong” at 3.1 million USD).
The painting “Family in the Garden” by famous artist Le Pho. (Photo: TL)
“Family in the Garden” is Le Pho’s second largest silk composition ever to appear in public, with a size of 91.3×61.5cm, accompanied by a certificate of authentication from Alain Le Kim, the late artist’s son. The painting was created around 1938, one year after he permanently settled in France.
Discuss with PV Vietnamese peoplepainting researcher Ngo Kim Khoi said that the painting’s uniqueness lies in its bold Asian character: “Le Pho remained faithful to the gentleness when depicting women and the very Asian space – something that made Le Pho’s success in Europe. We easily recognize that Le Pho’s exotisme (distant nature) has an influence on the tastes of viewers, in a country whose past is Indochina. bound to a past that cannot return”.
At the auction titled “Asian Artists – Outstanding Works” held on March 6 in Paris, France, the painting “Mother Lullabies to Sleep” by artist Mai Trung Thu was “hammered” with highest price. The work was paid 462,960 euros (equivalent to 11.7 billion VND).
The painting “Mother lulls her child to sleep” by artist Mai Trung Thu
At the auction titled “Asian Artists – Outstanding Works” held on March 6 in Paris, France, the painting “Mother Lullabies to Sleep” by artist Mai Trung Thu was “hammered” with highest price. The work was paid 462,960 euros (equivalent to 11.7 billion VND).
The painting “Mother lulls her child to sleep” by famous artist Mai Trung Thu. (Photo: TL)
In the introduction, auction house Aguttes said: This is a typical work of the style of famous painter Mai Trung Thu in the 40s of the 20th century. The artist shows the ability to use ink and color on silk in a unique way. excellent. The painting also shows softness and harmony in composition, with the delicate use of blue and cream white.
Painting “Necklace” – famous artist Mai Trung Thu
In October 2023, a silk painting called Le Collier (Necklace) by famous artist Mai Trung Thu (1906 – 1980) was hammered for 3,306,000 HKD, or about more than 10 billion VND. The painting was displayed at the Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art sale organized by auction house Bonhams.
“Necklace” by famous artist Mai Trung Thu. (Photo: TL)
The work was previously in the private collection of Federico Möller de Berg (1899 – 1991) – a famous Uruguayan sculptor. Painter Mai Trung Thu met Uruguayan sculptor Federico Möller de Berg in Paris and they immediately admired each other. In 1948, the two artists exchanged each other’s works, so the Vietnamese artist’s silk painting “Collier” (Necklace) is part of the Uruguayan artist’s collection. Before being owned by the collector, the painting had an estimated price of 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 HKD (equivalent to 7.5 billion to 12 billion VND).
