Lee Man Fong

Appraisal and Market Value of Lee Man Fong (1913–1988) 

Lee Man Fong was a major 20th-century painter who blended Chinese, European, and Indonesian influences to create an original style associated with the Nanyang movement. Born in 1913 in Guangzhou, China, he later moved to Singapore and then to Jakarta, where he worked in a printing shop while pursuing his artistic career.  

Recognized early on, he became the first non-Dutch artist to be exhibited by the Dutch East Indies Association. During the Japanese occupation, he was imprisoned for his revolutionary activities but was later released thanks to his jailer’s admiration for his art.  

Thanks to a scholarship, he went on to study in the Netherlands and exhibited successfully in The Hague and at the Paris Salon. Upon his return to Indonesia in 1952, he reached his full artistic maturity by combining Western, Chinese, and Indonesian traditions in works that were both delicate and expressive.  

In 1961, he became an advisor to the Presidential Palace and curator of the national art collection. Until the end of his life, he remained a prominent figure in the art worlds of Indonesia and Singapore, where his final exhibition was a great success.

How to Recognize a Work by Lee Man Fong

A work by Lee Man Fong is often recognizable by its blend of traditional Chinese painting and Western composition. He frequently depicts tranquil scenes featuring animals, figures, or minimalist landscapes, arranged in a highly balanced manner. His colors are soft and harmonious, with a significant amount of negative space in the composition, creating an impression of serenity and refinement characteristic of his Nanyang style.   

Lee Man Fong on the Art Market: The Artist’s Market Value  

Lee Man Fong’s market value varies primarily according to the size and subject matter of the works; his small oil paintings or works on paper generally sell for around €20,000 to €80,000, while oil paintings on panel or canvas often reach €40,000 to €200,000. Important or highly sought-after pieces (from his Balinese period, large formats) can fetch up to €500,000 or more, with a record price of approximately €3.4 million. 

In recent auctions, many works still fall within the €25,000 to €100,000 range, with higher peaks for the finest compositions. 

Spotlight on a Work by Hua Tianyou Sold at Aguttes

Jeune fille, oil on canvas, 60 x 45 cm
Sold €12,100