On the afternoon of March 6, 2023 (France time), during the auction ‘Asian painters, major works’, at Aguttes, Neuilly-sur-Seine, the total value of the auction was 1,528,900 EUR for 26 works of French, Chinese and Vietnamese painters. In particular, the painting ‘Mother and son who is sleeping’, 1944, silk by Mai Trung Thứ reached 462,960 EUR — not as expected by Mai Trung Thứ lovers… but this is a good price, ideal for the collectors.
‘La jeune fille et les seringa’, 1977, oil painting of Lê Phổ was the only painting in the auction to fetch more than twice the price. The rest of the paintings were either slightly above the high estimate or in the middle. There are a few paintings that have not been auctioned… due to some external reasons. Two very beautiful silk paintings by artist Trần Văn Thọ in the auction also made a good impression on collectors. While the market is quiet, this is a good sign for Văn Thọ’s beautiful paintings…
20.000 – 30.000 EUR. Result: 65.000 EUR
LÊ PHỔ (1907-2001). Girl and flowers, circa 1977. Oil on canvas. 33,5 × 41,5 cm – 13 1/8 × 16 1/4 in
Provenance: Wally Findlay Galleries, Palm Beach, USA – Private collection, Northern Europe
After the Covid-19 epidemic, according to the general trend of the world, currently, in Vietnam, there are many changes in all aspects, especially the economy and society. Therefore, the art market seems to be quieter; more slowly; and the price is also better…
When the market is not very liquid, proper Art Collectors all think that this is a good time to buy valuable and beautiful works at a good price.
50.000 – 80.000 EUR. Result: 91.000 EUR
MAI TRUNG THỨ (1906-1980). Combing hair, 1958. Ink and color on silk; In the frame made by the artist. 22 × 20,4 cm – 8 5/8 × 8 in
Provenance : Private collection, Pháp
So, is the price of paintings going down? Never went down. Compared to the estimated sellable price (from the auction house) the price is still within the calculated limit or double. But to have the mutation, triple, quadruple; even very special, causing a market fever, nearly 20 times like the auction of two paintings by Thang Trần Phềnh in October 2022 at Lynda Trouvé…
8.000 – 12.000 EUR. Result: 12.350 EUR
TRẦN VĂN THỌ (1917-2004). Bathing with peach and lotus. Ink and color on silk. 98,5 × 64 cm – 38 3/4 × 25 1/4 in
Provenance: Collection of the artist’s family, Acquisition, Southeast of France
According to knowledgeable people, some Vietnamese collectors temporarily auction less but will certainly not stop collecting. Currently, works by Vietnamese or French painters with Vietnamese themes are not only bought by Vietnamese people but also by many foreign investors. Some Asian investors from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia are buying many Vietnamese paintings into their collections. They think this is a good time to buy good paintings at a good price. Because maybe, after 2023, 2024 or maybe a little later… when the purchasing power recovers, the chance of “good works – good price” will be less and less.
60.000 – 80.000 EUR. Result: 81.900 EUR
VŨ CAO ĐÀM (1908-2000).The soldier. 1973Oil on canvas. 60 × 73 cm – 23 5/8 × 28 3/4 in
Provenance: Galerie Wally Findlay, Paris; Private collection, Paris
And certainly, this statement is only a relative comment for the current market. And breakthroughs will come from rare, valuable, and beautiful paintings… that in legends are always mentioned as focal points, there will certainly be many surprises and difficult to speculate on the price…
About this time, the real artistic value is the voice of the work itself, the measure that determines its commercial value; not be governed by “illusory” values from many sides…
Written by Viet Art View
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