Royal collection of Vietnamese paintings set for auction

The pieces hail from the personal collection of notable Vietnamese patron of the arts, Prince Nguyen Phuc Buu Loc (1914-1990), a scholarly collector who befriended the artists he admired and lived surrounded by his art.

Together, the artworks in the collection reflect a prevailing passion for Vietnam and its traditions, a nostalgic desire for harmony and the fruits of lifelong friendships with artists.

Le Pho, Canard et Lotus, circa late 1930s (estimate: $369,000 - $527,000)

The auction, titled Magnificence and Regality will offer works produced between around 1935 and 1970 in various media, including delicately painted silk masterpieces, magnificent lacquer screens and exceptional examples of Vietnamese modern art and as well as Chinese works of art from the Qing dynasty.

The fine art collection includes works by three pioneering artists – Le Pho, Vu Cao Dam and Nguyen Tuong Lan – who helped establish a new canon of Vietnamese art, elevating traditional crafts to modern forms of expression.

The auction will be preceded by a public exhibition in Sotheby’s Paris galleries, running from November 3 to 6.

Le Pho, L'heure du thé en famille, circa early 1960s (estimate: $126,500 - $190,000)

“This collection is a holy grail of Vietnamese art, boasting remarkable royal provenance and history, a rich context behind the works, as well as a unique gathering of some of the greatest names of the École de Paris. Together, the paintings tell a story that transcends taste: speaking to the relationships between patron and artist, embodying the marriage of Eastern and Western culture and showcasing a true passion for cultivating the arts,” said Pierre Mothes, vice president, Sotheby’s France.

Among the many rapidly growing economies in the region, there is a burgeoning demand and interest in Vietnamese art globally. Having recently set a new artist record for Le Pho at the Hong Kong Spring Sales, Sotheby’s now holds the top three auction prices for any Vietnamese artworks.

In July 2022, Sotheby’s staged its first-ever exhibition in Vietnam, marking one of the largest Vietnamese Art exhibitions ever held in the country.

The non-selling exhibition featured over 50 works, including major paintings by Le Pho and Vu Cao Dam.

This August, Sotheby’s once again hosted a non-selling exhibition in Vietnam, exploring the narrative of French artists who travelled to or lived in Vietnam during the first half of the 20^th century, and how they constructed their own visions of the land and its people.

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