Lee Man Fong

Siont Teja, Lee Man Fong: Oil Paintings Vol. I, Art Retreat, Singapore, 2005, P. 120

The work is in good condition overall, as is the canvas, which is clear and sound. There is light wear and handling around the edges of the painting. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals light restoration, predominantly on the top margin (located on the left and right corners and on the leaves on the upper right). Examination was conducted under frame. Framed.
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Lee Man Fong’s skill in blending Eastern and Western aesthetics into his paintings has won him admiration, and he is regarded as one of the pioneers of the “Chinese Western Art” genre. He was born in Guangzhou, however relocated to Indonesia when he was a young child. Therefore though he is recognized as a Chinese painter, Lee Man Fong’s portrayal of the Indonesian landscape and the country’s people are celebrated motifs within his oeuvre. The artist’s collection of works encompasses a variety of themes that are reflective of his personal history and cultural experiences.

Animals are a popular motif in the artist’s oeuvre, and often appeared in his portraits and landscape paintings. Partly a reference to his Chinese ancestry, as well as demonstrating the artist’s affinity with his natural environment, animal symbolism largely inspired the settings of Lee Man Fong’s paintings. He specially favored images of horses, goldfish, and doves. However, cattle were rarely featured within the paintings, therefore making the present work an even more special and valuable piece from the artist’s oeuvre.

It was in the early seventies when Lee Man Fong traveled to India. His experiences and memories coloured the paintings that were created during this period. The present work Segerombolan Sapi (Cattle), references the artist’s sojourns, and is a visual diary of the sights and sounds that he experienced abroad. As per the title of the artwork, cattle are seen grazing in a field, their figures enhancing the pastoral ambience of the landscape. A sacred animal in India, Lee Man Fong may be alluding to his time spent in the country, for the cow is respected as a symbol of wealth and fertility. In the painting Lee Man Fong has featured the animals in their natural habitat.

Within Segerombolan Sapi (Cattle) the artist has embraced short, expressive brushstrokes to emphasize the energy of the animals inhabiting the artwork. His use of complimentary colors, such as reds and greens, further intensify the mood of the scenic environment. The painting is ultimately the artist’s celebration of the natural world in its purest and finest form.