ANN/VIET NAM NEWS – A rare and remarkable painting by one of Vietnam’s leading modern artists, Nguyên Phan Chánh’s Les Chanteuses de Campagne, was sold at the Arts d’Asie auction on June 14 in Paris, France for EUR1.02 million (USD1.09 million), Sotheby’s Auction House has reported.
Prior to the auction, Sotheby’s had estimated the painting would fetch between USD650,000 to USD970,000. The oil on canvas work measures 90.5 centimetres (cm) by 102.5cm and was completed by the late painter in 1930.
According to Sotheby’s, the painting exemplifies Chánh’s most sought-after period from 1930 to 1935, capturing everyday moments with unparalleled intimacy. The painting portrays two women of modest means in a candid moment, rooted in earthy tones.
This composition, reflecting the artist’s focus on authentic action over aesthetic novelty, offers viewers a poignant glimpse into everyday life in early 20th-Century Vietnam, the auction house stated.
Known as a master of silk painting, Chánh (1892-1984) skillfully applied this technique through the medium of oil on canvas in his artwork Les Chanteuses de Campagne.
The painting was later selected by teacher Victor Tardieu to be submitted for the 1931 Colonial Exhibition in Paris. It was then collected by a French doctor couple, until Sotheby’s recently reintroduced it.
