NGUYEN MAI THU (VIETNAM, ACTIVE CIRCA 1930S-1955) PROBABLY ECOLE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE L’INDOCHINE (INDOCHINA FINE ARTS COLLEGE) Scène de marché de rue ou Les marchandes de fruits (Street market scene or The fruit sellers) Oil on canvas Signed and dated to the lower right: ‘50’ (for 1950) 65 x 54 cm Provenance: A private collection, Paris, France. NGUYỄN MAI THỨ (VIỆT NAM, HOẠT ĐỘNG TRONG KHOẢNG NĂM 1930-1955) CÓ THỂ LÀ THE ECOLE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE L’INDOCHINE (TRƯỜNG CAO ĐẲNG MỸ THUẬT ĐÔNG DƯƠNG) Notes: 1. If Nguyen Mai Thu is well known for his picturesque views of Halong Bay with fishing boats, rarer are his depictions of characters. In this street market scene, the artist choose to focus on two women wearing traditional clothes and headdresses: the first one is seated on the sand floor, grabbing fruits from a woven basket, another woven basket full of fruits next to the first one as well as a bunch of bananas; the second one is depicted standing, holding a basket of fruits and staring at us. On the middle ground is a barrel and a tree. In the background, a banana tree and a village house. The composition is packed and closed, whilst we can see a light blue sky in the back. The sunlight, going through the tree canopy, is delicately popping up the composition and creating shadows as visible on the floor. 2. Possibly one of the most sensitive paintings achieved by Nguyen Mai Thu. 3. Compare with a street market scene by the same artist sold in DROUOT Paris by Crait + Muller, 2018-12-10, under lot number 166, for €4,000. NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.