HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Art Spring 2020 Sales Series, scheduled on 8-9 July, will be led by an exceptional painting by Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès that has never been seen in the market. Balinese Women in the Garden will make its auction debut after its acquisition by a close friend of the artist, and has remained in the original private collection for decades. Other highlights with impeccable provenance include Filipino artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Indonesia painter Hendra Gunawan.

Kim Chuan Mok, Sotheby’s Head of Southeast Asian Art, says, “This season, we are thrilled to present a selection of highly significant masterpieces by top artists from across the region, many of which are commissioned works gifted to or acquired by close friends of the artists. From Le Mayeur to Magsaysay-Ho, these works have fascinating background stories and truly speak to the richness and complexities of what Southeast Asia has to offer.”

EXCEPTIONAL WORKS WITH IMPECCABLE PROVENENCE

Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès, Balinese Women in the Garden. Oil on canvas, 100 by 120 cm. Est. HK$4,500,000 – 6,800,000 / US$585,000 – 880,000
A fresh to the market masterpiece by Adrien Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès, Balinese Women in Garden was acquired directly from the artist by the present owner’s grandfather, who was an avid collector of Le Mayeur’s work. Holding a special connection with Le Mayeur, this gentleman also had the opportunity to work closely with the artist’s life-long muse and later wife, Ni Pollock, whom the collector photographed in the 1970s. An exuberant work kept a private collection for decades, this painting makes its first appearance in the world’s stage at Sotheby’s this season.

Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Washing of the Feet. Oil on canvas, 1959, 59 by 148 cm. Est. HK$4,500,000 – 6,500,000 / US$585,000 – 839,000
Washing of the Feet by Anita Magsaysay-Ho is a singularly powerful masterpiece by the leading female voice of the Thirteen Moderns in the Philippines. This superlative work is the only composition of this iconic subject matter painted by the artist. Striking for its radical composition and powerful message, the painting hails from exceptional provenance as it was composed as a gift to Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez in 1959. In this heartfelt depiction of an iconic biblical scene of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, Anita expresses admiration for humble, hardworking Filipinos and at the same time captures the lofty ideal that leaders are first servants of the people and not of their own ambitions.

Christine Ay Tjoe, The Flying Balloon. Oil on canvas, 2013, 170 by 200 cm. Est. HK$4,000,000 – 6,000,000 / US$520,000 – 775,000
Fresh to auction and exhibited at the Indonesian artist's first solo show in Japan, The Flying Balloon is an immensely layered work conveying the intricate complexities of human life in vibrant rhapsody. Hailing from Ay Tjoe's 'Myriad of Paste' series, of which there are a limited number of paintings, this work boasts a cheerful palette exploring themes of play and technology. As one of the most iconic works of the artist's coveted oeuvre, The Flying Balloon achieved the prestigious “Best Emerging Artist Using Painting” award at the Prudential Eye Awards in 2015.

Additional Evening Sale Highlights (8 July)




• Romualdo Battista Federico Locatelli, Portrait of a Balinese Girl. Oil on canvas, 1939, 106 by 115.5 cm. Est. HK$2,500,000 – 3,500,000 / US$323,000 – 452,000

• Hendra Gunawan, Topeng Monyet *The Only Known Work of This Subject Matter By the Artist*. Oil on canvas, 96 by 130 cm. Est. HK$1,800,000 – 2,800,000 / US$233,000 – 362,000

• Pham Hau, Deer in the Forest. Lacquer on wood panel, in 6 parts. Each: 155.5 by 35.5 cm, overall: 155.5 by 213 cm. Est. HK$1,000,000 – 1,500,000 / US$130,000 – 194,000

• S. Sudjojono, Self-Portrait with Rose. Oil on canvas, 1957, 100 by 100 cm. Est. HK$1,000,000 – 2,000,000 / US$130,000 – 259,000

Day Sale Highlights (9 July)

• Affandi, Nude. Oil on canvas, 1978, 98 by 138.5 cm. Est. HK$1,200,000 – 1,800,000 / US$155,000 -233,000

• Hendra Gunawan, By the Beach. Oil on canvas, 1973, 72 by 147 cm. Est. HK$1,200,000 – 2,200,000 / US$155,000 – 284,000

• Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, Monumental Figure. Acrylic on canvas, 2010, 152.5 by 91 cm. Est. HK$900,000 – 1,500,000 / US$117,000 – 194,000

• Handiwirman Saputra, (i) Potongan Benda Kosong, Luar Tampak Dalam/Seri Pola (Section of an Empty Object, The Outside Looks Like the Inside/Pattern Series) (ii) Potongan Benda Kosong, Dalam Tampak Luar/Seri Pola (Section of an Empty Object, The Inside Looks Like the Outside/Pattern Series) (i) Acrylic on canvas, 2004, 140 by, 140 cm, (ii) Acrylic on canvas, 2004, 140 by 140 cm. Est. HK$400,000 – 600,000 / US$52,000 – 77,500