Lot Essay
This is a preparatory sketch made for the work entitled Temple in Bali, an oil painting of 1973. (The oil is illustrated in K.C. Low and Ho Kung-Shang, The Oil Paintings of Lee Man Fong Art Book Co. Ltd., Taiwan, 1984, p. 57.) It was not uncommon for the artist to make preparatory sketches for a composition which would eventually be executed in various media, like oil on board or canvas. The present lot as well as lot 81 Golden dragon chasing the pearl are two examples of this meticulous practice of the artist.
The eventual result in oil was often completed with some deviation from the original composition of the sketch. Man Fong's superb draughtsmanship is evident in these drawings and is clearly demonstrated by the deft, confident and spontaneous strokes which stand out markedly in the artist's works.
The eventual result in oil was often completed with some deviation from the original composition of the sketch. Man Fong's superb draughtsmanship is evident in these drawings and is clearly demonstrated by the deft, confident and spontaneous strokes which stand out markedly in the artist's works.