Lê Phổ (1907–2001): The Poet of Modern Vietnamese Painting

Promotion I (1925–1930) — École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine

Recognized as one of the leading figures of modern Vietnamese art, Lê Phổ was born in 1907 in Hadong, the son of the Viceroy of Tonkin. From an early age, he displayed remarkable artistic ability and a strong interest in drawing and painting. In 1925, he joined the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine in Hanoi as part of its first class (Promotion I).

There, he studied under Victor Tardieu, the school’s founder and director, who became a lasting influence. The EBAI’s teaching combined Western academic techniques including oil painting on canvas with a deep respect for Asian artistic identity, encouraging students to preserve Vietnamese traditions such as silk painting and lacquer work (the latter taught by Joseph Inguimberty, whose influence on Lê Phổ proved decisive).

In 1931, Tardieu, impressed by his student’s talent, appointed Lê Phổ as his assistant for the 1931 Colonial Exhibition in Paris. This experience marked his first extended stay in France and allowed him to travel throughout Europe visiting Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium where he studied Western art firsthand. Upon returning to Asia, a journey to Beijing in 1934 introduced him to traditional Chinese painting, which deeply shaped his artistic vision.

Settling permanently in Paris in 1937, Lê Phổ developed a distinctive style that harmonized Eastern poetry and Western modernism. Over the decades, his work evolved from classical restraint to a more expressive, color-rich idiom influenced by artists such as Pierre Bonnard and Puvis de Chavannes.

Artistic style and evolution

Lê Phổ’s art can be divided into two major periods:

1. The Classical Period (up to 1945) — Influenced by Chinese and Renaissance traditions.

   • Mediums: watercolor, ink, and gouache on silk.

   • Subjects: women, family scenes, still lifes, and landscapes.

   • Traits: idealized figures, refined gestures, harmonious compositions, and subtle color gradations.

2. The Parisian or “Bonnard” Period (1945–1970s) — Marked by Western modernity and impressionistic light.

   • Mediums: oil on canvas and oil on silk mounted on canvas.

   • Traits: vibrant palette, fluid brushwork, and poetic representations of women, flowers, and mothers.

Throughout his life, Lê Phổ remained faithful to his cultural roots while mastering the tools of modern Western art—a synthesis that earned him international acclaim.

Lê Phổ on the art market: Artist’s value and auction estimates

His delicate, lyrical works celebrating femininity, maternity, and nature are distinguished by a refined technique blending Eastern serenity and Western color sensibility.
Over the past decade, his market value has soared, driven by international demand and record-breaking auction results.

The most sought-after pieces are from his Parisian period (1940s–1970s), notable for their warm tones and poetic imagery.
Large-scale compositions depicting female figures and floral arrangements regularly achieve hundreds of thousands of euros, confirming Lê Phổ as one of the highest-valued Vietnamese artists worldwide.

Highlights of works sold at Aguttes

• Jeune fille aux pivoines, circa 1938, ink and colors on silk, 91 × 71 cm — sold for €1,164,000 (2nd world record, October 2020)

• Sur la terrasse, circa 1940, ink and colors on silk, signed upper left, 57 × 38.1 cm — sold for €641,000 (3rd world record, June 2021)

• Les deux sœurs au balcon, ink and colors on silk, signed upper left, titled on reverse, 60 × 46 cm — sold for €590,000

Selling a work by Lê Phổ

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, author of Le renouveau de l’art moderne en Indochine and expert at Aguttes for over 15 years, provides sellers and collectors—both European and international—with her deep expertise of this market.
She appraises primarily unpublished works, including paintings and sculptures, modern or contemporary, and travels across France and Europe in collaboration with Aguttes’ regional offices.

You may send your free, confidential valuation request—including a description, photographs, and any related documents via the online estimation form or directly by email to our expert.

The department organizes four annual auctions dedicated to artists of the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine.

As the historical market leader for Asian artists, Aguttes guarantees sellers the best conditions to achieve optimal prices and world records on a demanding market. A dedicated team ensures full transparency and secure payment, under French auction law.

The Aguttes Asian Painters Department

The Aguttes Asian Painters Department regularly presents auctions dedicated to the great modern Vietnamese masters:
Lê Phổ, Nguyễn Phan Chánh, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Trần Văn Thọ, Phạm Hầu, and many others.

Contact our expert today to obtain a free valuation of your work by Lê Phổ, and benefit from personalized support throughout the sale process.

Lumières sur des œuvres vendues de Lê Phổ chez Aguttes

Jeune fille aux pivoines, circa, encre et couleurs sur soieLes deux soeurs au balcon Encre et couleurs sur soie, signée en haut à gauche, titrée au dos 60 x 46 cmuche 91 x 71 cm, vendue 1 164 000€, 2ème record mondial en en octobre 2020

Sur la terrasse, circa 1940, encre et couleurs sur soie, signée en haut à gauche 57 x 38,1 cm, vendue 641 000€, 3ème record mondial en juin 2021

Les deux sœurs au balcon, encre et couleurs sur soie, signée en haut à gauche, titrée au dos 60 x 46 cm, vendue 590 000€

Vendre aux enchères une œuvre de Lê Phổ

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, auteur du livre Le renouveau de l'art moderne en Indochine, et expert pour Aguttes depuis plus de 15 ans, met à la disposition des vendeurs français et européens et des acheteurs majoritairement vietnamiens, sa formidable connaissance de ce mouvement et de ce marché. Elle expertise des objets et œuvres majoritairement inédites, peintures et sculptures modernes ou contemporaines. Notre expert se déplace en France et dans toute l’Europe en collaboration avec nos bureaux de représentation en région.

Vous pouvez également en amont d'un rendez-vous transmettre votre demande d'estimation accompagnée du descriptif, des photos et de tous documents disponibles relatifs à l'œuvre via le formulaire disponible en ligne, ou directement par mail à notre expert.

Le département organise en moyenne 4 ventes dédiées aux artistes de l'école des Beaux-arts de l'Indochine.

Leader historique sur le marché des artistes venus d’Asie, Aguttes représente pour chaque vendeur particulier ou professionnel le tiers de confiance qui lui garantit l’obtention du meilleur prix et l’atteinte de records mondiaux sur un marché exigeant. Une équipe de proximité s’assure du paiement final de chaque œuvre dont la vente aux enchères est régie par la législation française. 

Le département Peintres d'Asie Aguttes présente régulièrement des ventes consacrées aux grands artistes vietnamiens modernes : Lê Phổ, Nguyễn Phan Chánh, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Trần Văn Thọ, Phạm Hầu, et bien d’autres.

Contactez notre expert pour obtenir l'estimation gratuite de votre œuvre de Lê Phổ