An Unseen Painting by Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur Goes Back to Asia After Half a Century Abroad

Two Women Arranging Flowers in the Interior, a never-before-seen painting by celebrated Indonesia-based Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur, was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong for HK$14,052,500 (approx. US$1.8million), over seven times its pre-sale estimate of HK$1,800,000-2,800,000. Having found its way from the artist in Bali to Dublin via the Netherlands, the painting has now been bought by an Asian private collector, returning to its place of creation Asia after more than half a century abroad. The star lot ignited a ten-minute eight-way bidding battle from across the saleroom, the Internet, and the telephone.

Bernadette Rankine, Bonhams Director of Southeast Asia, commented, "Le Mayeur is best remembered for his portrayals of the sunlit and colourful Balinese outdoor scenes, so paintings exploring his own domestic space, such as this top lot in our sale, are extremely rare. Two Women Arranging Flowers in the Interior is one of the finest examples to have come to the market, following its discovery two months ago in Dublin. We are pleased that after years abroad in Europe, the painting is eventually coming back in the hands of an Asian collector."

Two Women Arranging Flowers in the Interior is an intimate depiction of Le Mayeur's home in Bali – a traditional Joglo house which in his own words served as his 'little paradise'. Entering Le Mayeur's home the viewer discovers a warm setting decorated with jewelled treasures and representations of other painted or sculpted objects. Despite this being a shaded interior, the artist still spins sunlight and colour from his brush. The perspective draws the eye to two female figures, replicated from his wife / Legong dancer Ni Pollok, as they arrange a bouquet of tropical garden flowers on a low table. Sunlight bounces off the windowsill, bathing the figures in a golden hue contrasting with the room's deep burgundy and luscious reds. The painting masterfully displays the intimate setting of the artist's home, which today is preserved as a state museum showcasing about 100 of Le Mayeur's works donated to Indonesia by the artist couple themselves.

Edward Wilkinson, Bonhams Global Head of Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art, added, "Apart from the cover lot triumph, the sale achieved a great result overall, with 98% sold by value and a grand total nearly five times the pre-sale estimate. Together with the strong sale of Himalayan, Indian and Southeast Asian art, we are pleased to see that the market of Southeast Asian art in general is going from strength to strength."

Breakdown of sale results:
• Bonhams Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art Sale (22 April 2021)
• Sale total: HK$20,976,663
• Nearly five times the pre-sale estimate (HK$4,918,000)
• 84% sold by lot
• 98% sold by value
• Nearly 40% of lots sold above high estimate
• All Filipino, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai art 100% sold

Notable results include:

Vu Cao Dam (1908-2000)
Deux Jeunes Femmes (Two Young Women)
Estimate: HK$400,000-600,000
Sold for HK$1,127,500
Nearly three times the estimate

Le Pho (1907-2001)
La Couture
Estimate: HK$ 200,000-400,000
Sold for HK$1,127,500
Over five times the estimate

Vu Cao Dam (1908-2000)
La Famille
Estimate: HK$180,000-280,000
Sold for HK$690,000
Nearly four times the estimate