Lee Man Fong

Sotheby's Singapore, October 22, 2006, lot 167
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Private Collection, Indonesia

Ho Kung-Shang, The Oil Paintings of Lee Man-Fong: The Pioneer Artist of Indonesia and Singapore, Art Book Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan, First Edition: 1984, p. 34, colorplate E20
Art Retreat, Lee Man Fong: Oil Paintings, Art Retreat Ltd, Singapore, 2005, Volume II, page 300, colourplate

This work is in very good overall condition as viewed. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals no sign of restoration. Framed, in original frame.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present work Two Collies is a very special piece from the group of animal paintings by Lee Man Fong, for it may possibly be the only painting featuring dogs as the subject matter.  By adopting a similar composition as the other classic Lee Man Fong animal paintings, the present lot renders as a rare piece with the unusual choice of animals and Lee Man Fong’s divorce from traditional Chinese motifs.

Akin to other animal paintings by Lee Man Fong, the collies are placed in the middle of a landscape, dividing the pictorial composition into half. This particular arrangement punctuates the subject matter in the middle, yet withdrawing the dogs from the audiences by avoiding direct engagement. Lee Man Fong’s adoration for animals had revealed his mutual respect for human and nature. It entails a harmonious coexistence among human, animals, and the environment, while simultaneously demonstrating the artist’s talents in representing the animal kingdom. Also frequently spotted in Lee Man Fong’s paintings is his preference of depicting animals in a minimum of a pair. The present painting is no exception to this inclination, where the artist presented a pair of collies in the landscape caught in the middle of an unarranged moment.

The present lot is a demonstrative piece among Lee Man Fong’s collection, where it is an assemblage of Lee Man Fong’s established style and techniques. Yet, with the artist’s choice of subject matter, the present lot is marked as an unordinary piece among the artist’s animal paintings.