Freeman’s Announces Inaugural Vietnamese Modernists Summer Auction Featuring Distinguished Works by Lê Phổ and Vũ Cao Đà
Freeman’s is pleased to announce its inaugural Vietnamese Modernists auction, taking place on July 21, 2026, in New York. Building on its longstanding leadership in the market, Freeman’s will debut this dedicated sale spotlighting the most celebrated figures of Vietnamese Modern Art, including Lê Phổ and Vũ Cao Đàm to underscore the house’s commitment to the category. It will offer collectors a focused opportunity to explore and engage with two of the most influential voices in Vietnamese modern art.
“I am delighted to introduce this new sale format to our audience. Freeman’s has long been a leader in presenting the works of Lê Phổ and Vũ Cao Đàm, showcasing them alongside some of the most important Modern artists of the 20th century,”said Raphaël Chatroux, Vice President, Head of Department, Impressionist and Modern Art.“As scholarly recognition of these artists continues to grow following the 100th year anniversary of the inception of the Écoledes Beaux-Arts d’Indochine in Hanoi, dedicating a sale exclusively to their work is a natural step for us, and a tremendous way to honor their true global appeal, from East to West.”
A Legacy of Artistic Exchange, Innovation, and Enduring Global Appeal
Lot 2| Dans le Jardin, 1963, Lê Phổ (French/Vietnamese, 1907-2001) | Estimate $40,000-60,000
Leading the sale are works by Lê Phổ and Vũ Cao Đàm, two pioneering figures of Vietnamese modern art. Both artists received their formative training at the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine before settling in France, where they developed distinctive artistic languages shaped by Vietnamese traditions and European modernism. Their work, which bridges Eastern and Western aesthetic influences was widely promoted in the United States in the 1970s and 80s through their common dealer, Wally Findlay, who contributed to their widespread across the country.
Lot 3 | Le Printemps, 1983, Vũ Cao Đàm (French/Vietnamese, 1908-2000) |Estimate $40,000-60,000
Among the sale's highlights is Les Fleuristes by Lê Phổ (Lot 11,estimate: $120,000–180,000), a richly layered composition depicting an arrangement of potted plants tended by a young female figure. The work exemplifies the artist's celebrated ability to harmonize human presence and nature through a refined, poetic sensibility.Another standout is Dans le Jardin (Lot 2 estimate: $40,000–60,000), a dreamlike composition of serene elegance. The painting features figures arranged across multiple planes and enveloped within a lush landscape of vibrant sunflowers and foliage. Rich in color and atmosphere, the work reflects Lê Phổ's enduring fascination with the beauty of the natural world and the graceful interplay between figure and setting.
The sale will also feature Le Printemps by Vũ Cao Đàm (Lot 3, estimate: $40,000–60,000), a whimsical composition depicting a woman and a man embedded in a vibrant cloud of color. Rendered with the artist’s characteristic sensitivity and painterly touch, the work creates an ethereal scene imbued with intimacy and quiet contemplation. Rich in color and emotion, Le Printemps exemplifies Vũ Cao Đàm’s distinctive fusion of Vietnamese artistic traditions and European modernist influences, a hallmark of the artist’s enduring appeal among collectors worldwide.
Lot 14 | Les Renoncules, Fond Jaune, c. 1976, Lê Phổ (French/Vietnamese, 1907-2001) | Estimate $40,000-60,000
Additional Highlights Include
- Lot 7| Le Serment, 1955, Vũ Cao Đàm, (French/Vietnamese, 1908–2000)
Estimate: $40,000 – 60,000 - Lot 14 | Les Renoncules, Fond Jaune, c. 1976, Lê Phổ (French/Vietnamese, 1907-2001)
Estimate: $40,000 – 60,000 - Lot 5| Deux Jeunes Filles, 1958, Vũ Cao Đàm, (French/Vietnamese, 1908–2000)
Estimate: $30,000 – 50,000 - Lot 13| La Jeune Famille, 1960, Vũ Cao Đàm, (French/Vietnamese, 1908–2000)
Estimate: $30,000 – 50,000 - Lot 15 | Hanoi Street, 2014, Hau Tran Luu (Vietnamese)
Estimate: $30,000 – 50,000
Freeman’s is proud to be the first auction house to dedicate a standalone sale to Vietnamese Modernists, building on its established leadership in the category and its remarkable 100% sell-through rate. Carefully curated, the auction brings together a refined selection of exceptional works that highlight the artistic innovation, cross-cultural influence, and enduring appeal of these celebrated artists.
Auction Preview
July14– 18, 20, 2026
Monday - Friday 10am – 5pm | Saturday 11am – 5pm
32 East 67th Street, New York, NY
A selection of highlights will be on view at Freeman’s Upper East Side, New York, gallery.
How to Bid
The auction will be offered live in Freeman’s New York saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding.