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Lot Essay
Le Mayeur's own presence is embodied in the paintings that are hung on the wall and with the intimate details such as the book that is placed on the table. With this particular work, the interior is the center of his creative world, the depicted objects and sitters (modeled after Ni Pollok) are the means as well as ends in his art.
For an artist who re-uses his motif, it would be very interesting to compare his works of similar subject. A larger canvas of similar composition was sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 31 October 2004 as lot 529. Titled as Balinese interior with women, the work was hammered at a record price of HK$ 8.5 million.
Comparing the two works, one realizes the interior of the artist's residence was very much a lived-in quarter with flowers being changed regularly in the vase on the table as well as the ornaments (theatrical masks) on the wall too. While flowers might or might not be scattered on the floor, we know that books are constant companion of the artist, with this particular one on the table that shows a picture of Mao Tse-Tung on the cover. However, there are also objects which remain constant in the interior such as the paintings of the artist, the shelves that are attached to the wall and not to mention the day bed, on which recline his languorous sitters. These revelations at once establish a source of information that makes the reading of the present work more personable. As we the onlookers enter a world of meticulous arrangement, clearly intended by the artist to dazzle and to enchant, in short, a world of orchestrated beauty; yet the intimate details of the interior and the conceived notion of a changing room partaking in daily routines renders the present lot an intimate reading of Le Mayeur: as an artist in working process and as a man in living condition.
The letter which is written by the artist to the collectors informs us of the possible date of execution for the work could be 1956. In the letter, Le Mayeur wrote "I keep the picture for you but you are not at all engaged to take it if you change your mind when you will come the 25th November" Evidently, Mr. and Mrs. Ramberg were pleased with the work and the work remained in their private collection till recent time.
For an artist who re-uses his motif, it would be very interesting to compare his works of similar subject. A larger canvas of similar composition was sold in Christie's Hong Kong, 31 October 2004 as lot 529. Titled as Balinese interior with women, the work was hammered at a record price of HK$ 8.5 million.
Comparing the two works, one realizes the interior of the artist's residence was very much a lived-in quarter with flowers being changed regularly in the vase on the table as well as the ornaments (theatrical masks) on the wall too. While flowers might or might not be scattered on the floor, we know that books are constant companion of the artist, with this particular one on the table that shows a picture of Mao Tse-Tung on the cover. However, there are also objects which remain constant in the interior such as the paintings of the artist, the shelves that are attached to the wall and not to mention the day bed, on which recline his languorous sitters. These revelations at once establish a source of information that makes the reading of the present work more personable. As we the onlookers enter a world of meticulous arrangement, clearly intended by the artist to dazzle and to enchant, in short, a world of orchestrated beauty; yet the intimate details of the interior and the conceived notion of a changing room partaking in daily routines renders the present lot an intimate reading of Le Mayeur: as an artist in working process and as a man in living condition.
The letter which is written by the artist to the collectors informs us of the possible date of execution for the work could be 1956. In the letter, Le Mayeur wrote "I keep the picture for you but you are not at all engaged to take it if you change your mind when you will come the 25th November" Evidently, Mr. and Mrs. Ramberg were pleased with the work and the work remained in their private collection till recent time.