Vietnamese Modernism at Auction | Lê Phổ, Vũ Cao Đàm & Important Vietnamese Art
As international demand for Vietnamese Modernist art continues to grow, Freeman's is launching a dedicated sale devoted to one of the most dynamic categories in the global art market.
Highlighting exceptional works by Lê Phổ and Vũ Cao Đàm, the auction celebrates artists whose works bridge Eastern traditions and Western modernism.
What Is Vietnamese Modernism?
The Origins of a Distinct Artistic Movement
Vietnamese Modernism emerged during the early twentieth century and stems from a group of artists trained at the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochineunder Victor Tardieu, who blended traditional Vietnamese aesthetics with European artistic techniques.
The result, throughout several years, was a unique visual language characterized by lyrical compositions, refined color palettes, cultural symbolism, technical innovation, and cross-cultural influences.
Lê Phó (French/Vietnamese, 1907-2001) Composition de Fleurs, c. 1983 | Price Realized | $197,350; Vũ Cao Đàm (French/Vietnamese, 1908–2000) Composition, 1984 | Price Realized $62,500
The École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine
The School That Shaped a Generation
Founded in Hanoi in 1925, the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine became one of the most influential institutions in Southeast Asian art history.
The academy introduced Western academic training while encouraging students to explore local traditions and materials, helping create a distinctly Vietnamese artistic identity that continues to resonate with collectors worldwide.
Lê Phổ: Master of Vietnamese Modernism
A Global Market Favorite
Among the most celebrated figures of Vietnamese Modernism stands Lê Phổ, who developed a signature style known for its luminous color, elegant, elongated figures, and poetic, relaxing depictions of family, gardens, and daily life in Vietnam and abroad as the artist formally settled in Paris in 1937.
Lê Phó (French/Vietnamese, 1907–2001) "Sur La Terrasse" | Price Realized $140,000; Lê Phó (French/Vietnamese, 1907-2001) | L'Enfant aux Pavots | Price Realized $101,600
Vũ Cao Đàm: Bridging East and West
A Distinctive Artistic Voice
Vũ Cao Đàm was another important name associated with the expansion of Vietnamese Art out west. First established in Paris, he moved to the South of Franceresiding in Vence, where he met Henri Matisse. A sculptor by training, his art focused on women models, maternities as well as Vietnamese folklore and mythology, which he celebrated throughout his life to appeal his manyWestern Collectors, in Europe and in the United States.
Vũ Cao Ðàm (French/Vietnamese, 1908-2000) | Divinité Blanche, 1976 | Price Realized $102,100; Vũ Cao Đàm (French/ Vietnamese, 1908-2000) | Mother and Child | Price Realized $190,500
Why Collect Vietnamese Modernist Art?
Rising Global Demand
Collectors, institutions, and investors increasingly recognize Vietnamese Modernism as one of the most important and rapidly expanding sectors within the Asian art market.
A particularly heartwarming recent trend is the rise of Southeast Asian collectors joining this global movement, united by a shared effort to bring their beloved national heroes back home.
Contact a Specialist
Interested in buying or selling Vietnamese Modernist art? Connect with our specialists to discuss upcoming auctions, valuations, and collecting opportunities.
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By Raphaël Chatroux, VP, Head of Department, Impressionist & Modern Art In the early 1950s, Fernand Léger began working on Les Constructeurs, one of the most important series of his late career. Reflecting on post-war Europe’s reconstruction, it also focused on the dignity of working-class labor and the scale of modern industry. Among its key preparatory works is the 1950 gouache Les Constructeurs au Vélo, which Freeman’s will proudly offer for sale in its October 27 Impressionist & Modern Art auction in New York. Léger drew inspiration during evening drives to Chevreuse, where he saw construction workers climbing newly erected high-voltage pylons. He recalled being struck by the contrast between the small scale of the workers and the rigid industrial structures around them: “Lost in the rigid, hard, hostile surroundings, the men appeared tiny. I wanted to render this in my paintings, without making any concessions.” Les Constructeurs au Vélo brings together the central elements of the series. The lower half focuses on the workers, while the upper half is dominated by intersecting metal structures. A bicycle in the foreground refers to everyday working-class life and mobility. The work also connects Léger’s early interest in Cubism and mechanical forms with his later focus on labor and collective life. Here, the workers become the central figure within the industrial landscape—the human presence at the heart of modern progress. INQUIRIES: [email protected] VIEWING: October 19 – 26 32 East 67th Street, New York, NY TO BE OFFERED OCTOBER 27, NEW YORK Fernand Léger (French, 1881-1955) Les Constructeurs au Vélo, 1950 Estimate: $150,000 – 250,000
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