Private Collection, U.S.A. 

The work is in good condition overall. Upon very close observation, there is evidence of minor silk run on the center of the top register along with a minute paint loss near the center (below the hand on the headscarf drape). Examination under ultraviolet light shows no sign of restoration. Framed under Plexiglas. *Please note the green and blue tones appear stronger on the original work in comparison to its reproduction on the catalogue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Exquisitely painted and exceptionally rare, Maternité is a magnificent silk painting belonging to the zenith of Le Pho’s illustrious career.  The Vietnamese modern master stands as one of the most sought-after artists who garnered himself a place in the country’s art canon for his oeuvre captures the spirit of the artist’s own childhood memories of growing up in Hanoi. Epitomizing the elegance and astounding beauty of his treasured silk works, Maternité celebrates the classical themes of womanhood that have long inspired the artist’s romanticized renderings of quotidian life. A mother and her child are shown in an intimate embrace –her alluring grace and maternal touch remain the focus of our admiration.  However, what sets this particular masterpiece apart is the breathtakingly detailed vista in the painting’s background, offering a window into the wondrous landscapes of Le Pho’s homeland. A classically trained painter who was one of the first to graduates of the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine in Hanoi, Le Pho received the highbrow tutelage of prominent French artists Victor Tardieu and Joseph Inguimberty. Together with Mai Trung Thu, Vu Cao Dam and Nguyen Phan Chanh, Le Pho was part of the pioneering wave of modern artists who formed a new creative identity that diverged from the more decorative indices of traditional crafts. Synthesizing their training in French aesthetics with Vietnamese techniques and themes, these artists developed fresh approaches and paved a new direction in their country’s art history.

Le Pho in particular quickly garnered popularity for his charming vignettes of domestic life rendered in a truly distinct style. In 1932, he was granted a scholarship to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was able to witness the masterworks of French artistic techniques first-hand. The artist’s idyllic depictions of life have come to represent a window into Vietnam’s days of yore from the early 19th century to the early forties, a period that remained untouched by foreign colonialization or the local infighting brought on by opposing political agendas. In 1937 Le Pho left Vietnam amidst the outbreak of war and developed a career in Paris, remaining in Europe for the rest of his life. He exhibited extensively in Algiers (1941), Paris (1945), Brussels (1948), San Francisco (1962), and New York (1963) and his oeuvre traversed geographical boundaries - a testament to his international influence and celebrity as a Vietnamese painter in a foreign locale.

While later works saw the artist venture further into oil painting and impressionist styles, the 1930s to 1940s were marked by the new heights of sophistication and artistry Le Pho reached in the medium of silk painting. Rendered in painstakingly fine detail, masterworks like Maternité are executed on the artist’s favoured Japanese pongee silk and required intuitive yet confidant control of the inks and brush. His gentle touch and superior brushwork imbue the painting with a subtle brilliance in texture and color.

A visually mesmerizing revelation to one of the artist’s favored subject matter, the present lot stands as a homage to the loving relationship between mother and child. This theme is a recurring motif in Le Pho’s works as he chose to portray what he deemed beautiful, even in the scenes of the everyday. Elevating the routines and interactions of Vietnamese elite, he especially admired mothers and envisioned women as the paradigm of elegance and tenderness. Exuding an undeniable allure, Maternity epitomizes these beliefs by portraying a lady breastfeeding her child, an act that is wholly grounded within the definition of femininity and motherhood.

In Maternité, Le Pho combines the fragile surface of silk with the tender charisma of the two main characters, establishing a heartening glimpse into an idyllic existence. The two figures are cast against a vast backdrop, their seclusion suggest their tranquility and bliss, unperturbed by others and the concerns of the world. Their retreat into the cooling setting of a lavish garden heightens the intimacy of the portrait. Arching her back while cradling her child, the woman rests her right arm on the back of the ornamental chair while balancing her chin upon her supple fingers. She is caught in the midst of thought; as she tilts her head ever so slightly, her small eyes look down upon her child and she seems to allow her mind to wander into an imaginative world.  

Perhaps inspired by the classical archetypes of Madonna and Child, both figures form a harmonious unit and emanate an ethereal quality. Indeed what is striking about this alluring work is the luminous quality of Le Pho’s subjects. The artist applies inks and gouache to the smooth silk with the softest touch, thus illuminating the skin of the figures in a sensual brilliance. Rendered in Le Pho’s signature style the figures seem to move in poetic unison. The fluid curvatures of the mother’s form are accentuated by her slender limbs. She carries a seductive air while her child personifies a candid innocence.

Le Pho’s charming mother is crowned with delicate translucent fabrics, their diaphanous movements bellow gently in the air and drape around her elongated body. In these small yet breathtaking details lies Le Pho’s genius: the artist paints silk on silk, magnifying the exquisiteness of both medium and subject. In Maternité, Le Pho not only overcomes the challenges of the medium but pushes the formal and aesthetic possibilities of the traditional craft. Radiating with a mystical grace and poised grandeur, the current work is a veneration of motherhood that exemplifies Le Pho’s ability to capture impeccable verisimilitude.

Yet it is the splendid locale behind the figures that strikes an immediate respect amongst avid followers of Le Pho’s works. Even amongst the artist’s extensive oeuvre, Maternité is distinct for its meticulous detailing which stands apart from his usual plan backgrounds and interior settings. The artist here renders a symphony of layers through the lush landscape and hills that stack on top of each other while receding faintly into the distance. In doing so, Le Pho establishes an alternative and intriguing perspective within the composition. The verdure is painted with rich hues of green and deep blue, which complement the lady’s blue ao dai and also brings out the light peachy tones in her blushing skin. The subtle details in the verdant background and the artist’s cool palette permeate the work with a dreamlike and serene aura.

Maternité captures the magnificent beauty and sophistication of Vietnamese silk painting at the pinnacle of Le Pho’s artistic development. Radiating with beauty and charisma, this sanctified image of a mother and child highlights the familial bliss that rejoices the foundations of human life.  Offering a nostalgic glimpse into a private moment, Le Pho’s Maternité is attests to the universal admiration of the artist’s most impressive works.