LE PHO | Reading

Private Asian Collection

There is evidence of foxing to the silk, due to the age of the work. There are some losses to the paint and losses to the silk, visible upon close inspection. There are some scuffs visible at the left and right quadrants of the work. There are some inconsistencies to the weave of the silk and some runs, due to the age of the work. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals no sign of restoration as viewed. Framed, under plexiglass.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

An exquisite silk painting from one of the most highly coveted Southeast Asian artists, Reading is a scene of placid domesticity from esteemed Vietnamese painter Le Pho. The maestro’s life-long preoccupation with themes of womanhood has dominated his vast oeuvre, and this lot is no exception to this classical motif. Yet it is the sheer complexity of the masterpiece’s composition that offers a refreshing interpretation of Le Pho’s signature theme, its exceptional amalgam of interior and exterior settings securing it as one of the work’s most mesmerizing features. Both pictures of refined grace, a mother and child are in picturesque harmony with the surrounding flora, grounded by a reading woman. Reading is a romantic insight into the domestic world of the Vietnamese elite, enrapturing viewers with its beatific elegance.

A first-generation graduate from École des Beaux-Arts de L’Indochine, Le Pho received an education entrenched in the age-old traditions of French artistic vernacular. Compounded with a strong affinity for his native roots, Le Pho’s works represented the new, modern identity of Vietnamese art. Conceived during his time in France, Reading is a poignant piece that reinforces the artist’s unwavering connection to his homeland, underpinned by a keen understanding of Western artistry.  

Le Pho’s long-standing admiration for the beautiful is evident in Reading, elevating quotidian vignettes of domesticity into one redolent of feminine charm. Both ladies are engaged in two vastly different activities, but each relay a delicate sophistication characteristic of the women from Le Pho’s oeuvre. A paragon of cultured literacy, the reading woman is surrounded by scattered books, her white dress a radiant outline against the verdant landscape. Enclosed by pots of blooming flowers, the variegation of yellowed and green leaves is a striking exception from the traditionally muted tonalities of Le Pho’s silk works. Behind her, a woman is crouched in tender embrace with her child. Dressed in red, the warm hues of her attire exude a strong maternal affection. An awning swings above her, its orange and brown rustic hues enervating the piece with dimensionality and captivating vibrancy. Against the notoriously demanding silken surface, the rich colors that saturate the painting are an homage to Le Pho’s expert proficiency in rendering ink and gouache with resounding expertise. A nostalgic reminder of Le Pho’s Vietnamese ties, Reading is a celebration of the individual pursuit of feminine identity.