Press article : Towards a warm, colourful exuberance - La Gazette Drouot

LÊ PHÔ (1907-2001)
"Composition florale"

Presented with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist's son, Alain Le Kim, this painting bears a label from the Romanet Gallery in Paris and evokes Lé Phô's stylistic evolution towards a brighter palette and a more impressionistic touch.

When Alain Le Kim saw this painting from a Strasbourg collection, he immediately recognised the diamond-patterned floor of his childhood home. This painting therefore offers us an intimate glimpse into the life and work of Lé Phô. The Romanet gallery label on the back confirms what the colourful palette and free brushstrokes suggest : it dates from the period known as ‘Romanet’, which spans from 1945 to 1962. During these years, Lé Phô gradually became captivated by Post-Impressionist and Nabi painting, particularly that of Pierre Bonnard, whom he greatly admired. Bonnard, who wrote, ‘Draw your pleasure, paint your pleasure, and express your pleasure with force,’ was a role model for the Vietnamese artist, an instinctive and joyful painter.

Although he did not yet abandon silk as a medium – as he would do in the following period known as ‘Findlay’, when he would work in oil on canvas – Lé Phô turned here to much brighter colours than in his previous period. He deliberately chose yellow and red flowers, warm colours that are repeated throughout the rest of the composition, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Only the white flowers contrast with these hues, attracting the light. The artist embraced the genre of still life, an essential exercise for European painters since the 17th century, imprinting his own style on it. But this work is more than that; it offers a very intimate view of the interior, with the artist's everyday objects and the book on the table evoking a human presence. As usual, he also mixes Asian objects, such as the red coffee table and the ceramic pot, with European ones, such as the armchair in the background, which appears to be Louis XIII in style. The free brushstrokes and thick paint lend depth and richness to this visual and emotional experience offered by Lé Phô.

DECEMBER TUESDAY 30, CANNES. BESCH CANNES AUCTION OVV.

Lé Phô (1907–2001), "Floral Composition", ink and colours on silk mounted on cardboard and laminated on hardboard, signed, 91 x 50 cm.

Estimate : 40000/50000€

LA GAZETTE DROUOT N° 45 FROM DECEMBER 19th, 2025 page 79