The stunning silk painting, La famille dans le jardin, by celebrated artist Le Pho, recently sold for an astonishing $2.3 million at a special Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in honor of the auction house’s 50th anniversary.
“La famille dans le jardin” (Family in the Garden) by acclaimed painter Le Pho was sold for an astonishing 18.6 million Hong Kong dollars, including taxes, which amounts to US$2.369 million.
The stunning painting was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s Modern Evening Auction at 5:30 pm (Hong Kong time) on April 5. It was a highly-anticipated event, and the painting was sold to a lucky bidder who was thrilled with their purchase.
Given this price, the ‘La famille dans le jardin’ painting by Le Pho is now officially the most valuable work of his art, and the second-most expensive piece of Vietnamese fine art ever sold, following the $3.1 million sale of painter Mai Trung Thu’s portrait of Miss Phuong, according to Ace Le, the CEO of Sotheby’s for the Vietnamese market.
This remarkable price eclipses that of the painter’s oil painting entitled ‘Figures in a Garden’, which was auctioned off by Sotheby’s Hong Kong on April 7, 2022, and sold for a staggering $2.29 million.
This is the first million-dollar record of 2023, a year that has seen its fair share of economic challenges. However, this milestone serves as an optimistic signal for the future.
The acclaimed painting, ‘The Family in a Garden’, was auctioned off in 1999, accompanied with a certificate from Alain Le Kim, the son of the late painter. This artwork has been highly praised and is a great representation of the painter’s skill.
The work of Le Pho was produced in 1938, a year after he had settled in France. He had established himself as a professional artist and was already beginning to make a name for himself.
The auction in Hong Kong brought together works from renowned modern artists from around the world and in Asia, including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Wu Guanzhong, Zao Wou-Ki, and Georgette Chen.
The painting “La famille dans le jardin” was created with great technical skill and precision on a delicate silk canvas.
Notably, the painting has an impressive size, making it the second-largest work of this type created by renowned painter Le Pho to appear on the auction market.
Similar to French Impressionist paintings that capture a fleeting moment, Le Pho’s works depict a tranquil family scene with intimate exchanges in the outdoors. His paintings depict a realistic and photographic depiction of a transient scene, providing viewers with a glimpse into a fleeting moment.
This rare masterpiece of sophistication and charm is a testament to the culmination of the modern Vietnamese art innovation period. Its stunning detail and craftsmanship make it an impressive sight, showcasing the best of what the era had to offer. Whether admired for its beauty or coveted as a collector’s item, this timeless piece is sure to be appreciated for generations to come.
“This is a silk painting created during Le Pho’s second period – the most important period of his life,” said researcher Ly Doi. According to Doi, this period of Le Pho’s life was a defining one, as it saw the artist create some of his most iconic works. The silk painting in question is a testament to this and is a great example of Le Pho’s artistic genius.
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In 1937, he returned to France and resided there until his death in 2001 in Paris, without ever making a return to his homeland.
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It was a time of nostalgia, with such a multitude of emotions that they couldn’t be expressed in words, only captured in paintings.
In addition, for a full-sized silk painting measuring 91.3 centimeters in height and 61.5 centimeters in width, its characteristic techniques and styles, excellent preservation, universal theme, images of both ancient and modern ao dai (Le Pho ao dai), femininity and feminism make it a highly favored artwork for many.”
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The painting ‘Jeune femme en bleu dans un paysage’ by artist Vu Cao Dam has been sold for an impressive 5.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($700,640). A photo of the masterpiece taken by Sotheby’s Hong Kong is featured below. |
| The painting ‘Jeune femme en bleu dans un paysage’ by artist Vu Cao Dam was sold for 5.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($700,640). Photo: Sotheby’s Hong Kong |
It was the most expensive item among the three.
Among Vietnam’s three most noteworthy paintings that were put up for auction, two saw the selling prices surpass the estimated levels. It is not surprising that Le Pho’s painting was the most expensive item among the three, given its higher-than-expected price.
Vu Cao Dam’s Jeune femme en bleu dans un paysage painting is an absolute masterpiece. Its beauty is unparalleled, and its price tag of 8.6 million Hong Kong dollars, or $1 million, is a testament to its worth.
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The painting |
| The work ‘Femmes et enfants au bord de la riviere’ by painter Mai Trung Thu fetched 4.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($573,260) at the auction. Photo: Sotheby’s Hong Kong |
“Femmes et enfants au bord de la riviere” by Vietnamese painter Mai Trung Thu recently sold for an astonishing 4.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($573,260) at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction. This remarkable sale is a testament to the artist’s talent and a testament to the enduring value of art.Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news from Vietnam!
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