Lee Man Fong

Please note that the measurements listed are not of the painted work, but of the size of the Masonite board. This work is in good overall condition as viewed. There is evidence of light wear along the edges of the work, due to abrasions with the frame, but this does not affect the overall image as the paint layers are healthy overall. There is some light and stable craquelure at areas of thicker impasto, consistent with the age of the work, but this is only visible upon very close inspection. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals areas of restoration at the edges and corners of the work, along with small pinhole sized areas of restoration primarily at the rock formations, and very few and minor pinhole sized areas of restoration at the background and at a few of the fish. Framed.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Many of Lee Man Fong’s paintings were devoted to his cultural exploration of Indonesia, with the works an insightful visual study of the archipelago’s village traditions, rituals, and landscape. The artist was celebrated for his sensitive depictions of the people, his understanding of their culture inspiring much of his livelihood as a foreign artist focusing on Indonesian subject matters.

The artist was also a revered Naturalist, and the present painting aptly titled Goldfish is a classic piece from his body of works. Shown in the painting are nine goldfish, a deliberate play from the artist on his Chinese heritage and personal mythologies. Believed to be auspicious in numerology, the pronunciation of the number nine in Chinese shares similar sounds with the character for “everlasting”. Coupled together with the lucky presence of the goldfishes, the self-titled piece epitomizes the artist’s cultural paradigms further enhanced by his artistic skills as a painter.

The attention to colors and composition instills a sense of rhythm and vitality to the animals’ interactions with one another. The gold and orange shapes shine brightly amidst the muted tones of the seaweed and dirt. The artist has also has them swimming in groups of three, a visual ploy that further creates an innate energy within the piece that enhances their delicate and fleeting natures. Goldfish perfectly exemplifies Lee Man Fong’s classical Chinese upbringing with his scientific appreciation for the natural landscape.

As an artist who incorporated much of his heritage into the artworks, the present painting is a captivating look into a chapter of Indonesian art history as seen through the eyes of a Chinese artist. It can be said that the works centred on flora and fauna stand out amongst his oeuvre for their personal comprehension of the relationships between humans and Mother Nature.