LOT 70
BUI HUU HUNG
B. Vietnam, 1957
Portrait of A Lady, 1999
Lacquer on wood
122 x 122 cm
Signed on lower right and has artist seal stamped on upper left
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Canada
RM 35,000 – 75,000
Bui Huu Hung, born in Hanoi in 1957, is a Vietnamese artist celebrated for his contemporary approach to traditional lacquer painting. He began studying lacquer techniques at a young age and became especially known for portraiture, often depicting elegant female figures dressed in traditional or regal attire. His works combine the lustrous qualities of lacquer with restrained compositions and richly decorative surfaces.
In this large-scale work, a solitary female figure sits against an expansive golden ground, her vivid orange-red attire creating a striking contrast with the luminous surface. The frontal pose, composed expression and carefully folded hands lend the sitter a sense of quiet dignity, while the surrounding negative space heightens her presence. Subtle textural variations within the gold and finely rendered details of her costume demonstrate Hung’s ability to balance decorative richness with simplicity and stillness.