CHRISTIE'S SOUTHEAST ASIAN PICTURES WORLD RECORDS

CHRISTIE'S HONG KONG SOUTH EAST ASIAN PICTURES OCTOBER 26TH 2003 THIS CATALOG CONTAINS 144 PAGES AND 97 HIGH END LOTS WITH HIGHLIGHTS: Hong Kong – An array of exceptional paintings by esteemed masters such as Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès, Hendra Gunawan, Affandi, Rudolf Bonnet, Miguel Covarrubias, Joseph Inguimberty and Dullah, will be offered at Christie’s autumn sale of Southeast Asian Pictures on 26 October in Hong Kong. The sale also includes works from two prestigious private collections - the Ibu Rooslila A. Tahir Collection from Indonesia and the Professor Paul and Suzanne Mus Collection from Paris. Indo-European Pictures The sale features extraordinary works by painter-travellers who were active in Bali and Indochina in the beginning of the 20th century. The centrepiece of the sale is Atelier de Tissage by AdrienPage 2 of 5 Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès (Belgium, 1880-1958) (Estimate: HK$1,800,000-2,800,000/ US$230,800-359,000). A self-professed Impressionist, Le Mayeur remained truthful and steadfast to the artistic style throughout his career. He settled in Bali at the age of 52 after travelling extensively around the world. The beautiful island of Bali with rich sunlight became a strong stimulant for him and he devoted himself to the task of depicting his immediate surroundings. The present lot is a superb example of Le Mayeur’s depiction of the island – the Balinese people, captured in the graceful pursuit of their daily chores, the luxuriant flora, the beach and the sea, all bathed in exuberant sunlight. Also of note is Balinese Actor as Arjuna Bertapa by Rudolf Bonnet (The Netherlands, 1895-1978) (Estimate: HK$240,000-350,000 /US$30,800-44,900) who is renowned for his portraiture. Bonnet had depicted the portrait of Arjuna several times as it is an image highly symbolic of the artist’s preoccupations. Arjuna as the hero of the mythical legend, and also a perfect model for an artist who is constantly searching for the portrayal of an individual’s sublime quality. Another important work by Bonnet on offer is Temple Service, expected to realize HK$550,000-650,000/ US$70,500-83,300. Miguel Covarrubias (Mexico, 1904-1957) is presented by Birds of Paradise, a painting depicting the lush tropical flora and fauna which the artist came to know during his stay in Bali before the erupt of War World II. It demonstrates a strong affinity with Henri Rousseau’s The Forest at sunset dated in 1910 as both work are deceptively simple but highly evocative and enigmatic. The image of the tropical forest acquired a fantastic and almost dreamlike quality, demonstrating the importance of the colours and patterened, decorative elements and most important of all, the pre-eminence of the fantastic over the real (Estimate: HK$700,000-900,000/ US$89,700-115,400). Indonesian Pictures Works by distinguished Indonesian artists such as Hendra Gunawan (1918-1983) and Affandi (1907-1990) are very much sought after by collectors in the market. World auction record prices for these two artists were established at Christie’s Hong Kong sales -- Affandi’s Self Portrait sold for HK$1,855,750/ US$241,247), more than seven times its pre-sale estimate (July 2003), and Gunawan’s Feastiing at the Beach realized HK$2,714,100/ US$352,833) (October 2002). Christie’s fall auction will again feature superb works by these two artists. A sense of a community, dialogue and interaction, is an inherent characteristic of Hendra’s works which is apparent with Flower Vendors offered in the sale (Estimate: HK$600,000-800,000/ US$76,900-102,600). Page 3 of 5 In Affandi’s Drinking Tuak (Estimate: HK$220,000-320,000/ US$28,200-41,000), the characteristic swirling and deftly applied paint appears to take precedence over the subjects, hence the composition assumes an immediate sense of rhythm and movement. On closer examination, one realises that one is in the company of relaxed people who are in the mood for drinking and conversation. A lighthearted mood is suggested on the gleeful expression on the man on the left while the man in the center is sober by comparison, almost pensive. This is a work in which Affandi pays tribute to the common people, toasting their joie de vivre, for the people in the street. Two Balinese Girls with Offerings by Affandi is an additional highlight (Estimate: HK$320,000- 600,000 (US$41,000-76,900). The Private Collection of Ibu Rooslila A. Tahir – The Classics of a Time The Ibu Rooslila A. Tahir Collection of 26 works stands as a testimony to a lifetime of dedication and passion for the arts, intertwined with a nationalistic sentiment for a Republic newly born in 1945. This is one of the most important groups of Indonesian paintings ever assembled by private collectors, and features prime examples by Indonesian artists such as Sudojono, Affandi, Man Fong, Dullah, Abdul Aziz. Mrs Ibu Rooslila A Tahir, a native of Aceh in Indonesia, was endowed with diverse interests and talents. She was a soprano singer and had also worked as a secretary during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia. After the family moved to Jakarta in the 1950s, she began to purchase arts, even on credit terms. Many of the works were directly acquired from the artists whom she befriended and admired. S. Sudjojono was amongst the first artists she met and she befriended Abdul Aziz when they lived in Italy in the late 1950s. She also made trips to meet artists like Dullah and Sudarso. Although she had travelled abroad extensively and lived in New York and Paris, she did not acquire any work by foreign artists. She persisted in her collection of exclusive modern Indonesian artists, concentrating on works representational of the development of art history in Indonesia in 1945. Mrs Tahir’ exquisite taste for arts was also affected by her intimate friend, Ibu Fatmawati, one of President Soekarno’s wives. The President was one of the most important and influential collectors of Indonesian art, and Mrs Tahir’s was, most probably, influenced by him. Among the highlights in the Collection is White Roses by S. Sudjojono (Indonesia,1914-1986) (Estimate: HK$55,000-65,000/ US$7,100-8,300). In this painting, Sudjojono gives equal importance to the four sections of the canvas, expressionistic in style, the roses are poetically rather than realistically painted. Page 4 of 5 The Loving Gaze by Abdul Aziz (Indonesia, 1928-2002) is a further highlight. The works of Abdul Aziz have a special position in the Tahir collection, not only because of the special relations between the artist and the collector but also as he is the only known Indonesian artist who adopts a three dimensional painting style which propelled an effect that makes the subjects seemingly leaning forward. The present lot which was intended as a pair of canvas, portrayed the couple enclosed in their own space yet reaching out for one another (Estimate: HK$160,000-200,000/ US$20,500- 25,600). Also included are Jago (Cockfight) by Affandi (Estimate: HK$200,000-300,000/ US$25,600- 38,500); and Barong Dance by Dullah (1919-1996) (Estimate: HK$110,000-220,000/ US$14,100- 28,200). Vietnamese Pictures A group of four works by the French artist Joseph Inguimberty (France, 1896-1971), previously in the Private Collection of Professor Paul and Suzanne Mus from Paris, will be offered. These works were directly acquired form the artist’s or the artist’s exhibition in Paris after World War II. Professor Paul Mus (1902-1969) and his wife were brought up in Hanoi, Vietnam, where their parents worked for the French colonial government in the early 20th century. He later became a professor at the College de France in Paris teaching subjects on Southeast Asia and Buddhism. While he resided in Hanoi, Professor Mus and Joseph Inguimberty became close friends as they had mutual interests, especially in their affirmation for the beauty of the Orient. The prevalent artistic theme in Vietnam between 1925-1945 was poetic-realism which aimed to represent nature, people and landscapes, as well as the life, customs and habits of the country; in brief, the moral and material beauty as seen and experienced by Inguimberty and by Paul Mus. An important painting by Inguimberty, Vietnamese Ladies in the Garden, is the highlight of the collection (Estimate: HK$240,000-320,000/ US$30,800-41,000). The work depicts three Vietnamese demure ladies resting in the shade of the tropical vegetation. Filipino Pictures Among the Filipino pictures offered is A Remembrance Of The Villa Borghese by Fabian de la Rosa (1869-1937) (Estimate: HK$180,000-280,000/ US$23,100-35,900). The work of Bencab’s (born 1942) Carrying a Banga (Estimate: HK$120,000-180,000/US$15,400-23,100) is yet another much anticipated work in the Filipino section