Lot 42
LEE MAN FONG
B. China, 1913 – 1988
“Goddess of Life & Death I”, (Amsterdam) 1952
Signed and dated “M Fong 1952” on lower left
Charcoal on paper
71 x 48 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Singapore
Formerly in the Private Collection of A Distinguished Collector in Jakarta, Indonesia.
RM 35,000 – RM 50,000
Lee Man Fong was a Chinese-Indonesian painter who had his training in China and Western Europe, and lived most of his life in Indonesia, developing a particular style that amalgamated his teachings with a quiet yet passionate vision. His works are highly coveted by many for the fusion of Chinese brushwork and Western techniques which resulted in a richly sentimental yet elegant paintings. A leading painter and curator of his time, the artist pioneered the Nanyang style in the 20th century in Indonesia.
Lee Man Fong’s Western influence is evident in this intriguing work, produced during his time studying in Amsterdam. Perhaps through this charcoal on paper work, the artist relayed his interpretation of life and death. The painting is shrouded in enigma, with a lady in all her glory at its centre, embraced by a f lly dressed man who is seen fending off a skull figure that looms over the female subject.