Vietnamese Modern Art

Aguttes, a Historic Leader in the Appraisal of Works by Artists trained in Hanoi starting from 1925

Since 2014, some 1,300 works related to Asian modern art, including nearly 150 paintings by Lê Phổ, more than 115 works by Mai Trung Thứ, and nearly 100 works by Vũ Cao Đàm, have passed through the hands of our expert Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier. As a founding member of the association of Asian Artists (AAP) in Paris, she is dedicated to cataloging the works of painters Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, and Lê Phổ. Her book, L’art moderne en Indochine, published on the eve of the centenary of the founding of the Ecole des beaux-arts de l’Indochine in Hanoi, offers an economic analysis demonstrating the influence of the Aguttes auction house on the average annual growth in sales figures for artists of this movement. Between 2000 and 2022, Vũ Cao Đàm and Lê Phổ, major artists of this movement, each recorded a 21% increase, and Mai Trung Thứ a 26% increase. In 2022, Aguttes’ market share in the French market was 78%, 66%, and 72% in value terms for sales of works by Vũ Cao Đàm, Mai Trung Thứ, and Lê Phổ, respectively. 

Aguttes is an internationally recognized trusted mediator for sellers seeking access to the best buyer networks in the Asian art market. Its exceptional level of expertise and thorough knowledge of the market are the cornerstones it offers to these sellers, whether they are based in France, Europe, or across the Atlantic (the United States, Canada, or South America). The objects and works presented, mostly previously unseen, including modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures, as well as Asian furniture and artworks from imperial collections or those of high-ranking dignitaries, are carefully examined before each sale to ensure collectors have the assurance of purchasing authentic works. The auction house, recognized as a major source of discoveries in this market, is closely followed by collectors. The precision of its expertise is recognized for its high standards, as evidenced by the world records it regularly sets. Aguttes thus facilitates secure transactions in Paris for sellers with buyers primarily based in Asia, specifically in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, in cities such as Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Hanoi, and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), and sometimes more broadly across the globe. 

As a historic leader in the market for Asian artists, Aguttes serves as a trusted third party for both private and professional sellers, ensuring they receive the best possible price and achieve world records in a demanding market. A dedicated local team oversees the final payment for each work, and all auctions are therefore governed by French law. 

Artists from the École des beaux-arts de l’Indochine & their Favorite Subjects 

Paris has always attracted artists from all over the world. The leading artists trained at the École des Beaux-Arts d’Indochine came to complete their studies in France, at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, in the studios of the Montmartre and Montparnasse neighborhoods, or in the galleries of the Louvre Museum. Paris at the time was a hive of incessant activity, fostering a tremendous artistic spirit of emulation. These artists made painting their favorite medium, whether it was ink and color on silk or oil on silk, canvas, or hardboard. Nevertheless, lacquer and sculpture were also celebrated, illustrating the breadth of their technical range and talent. As for the themes that inspired them, the female figure is one of the most frequent, featuring young women in full-length or bust portraits, in interiors or in nature, or even female nudes. The maternal figure and children in general, sometimes accompanied by elderly parents, also captured their attention extensively, in a spirit of celebrating traditions of filial piety. Numerous still lifes were produced, notably floral compositions. Finally, nature, the animal world, and landscapes were widely honored, serving as reminders of these painters’ native regions. 

The Provenance of Artworks 

The provenance of artworks, whether paintings, lacquers, or sculptures, is often deeply personal and steeped in history, with owners who acquired pieces directly from the artists or inherited them as family heirlooms. Preserved for many years by their owners and their families, these works of art, sometimes forgotten or overlooked in the West, are cherished for their sentimental and aesthetic value. In light of the growing interest in these pieces, our experts offer free appraisals to assess their value on the current market. 

Lacquers, Paintings & Sculptures: we look for Signatures

The most common signatures are as follows: Lê Phổ, Lương Xuân Nhị, Vu Cao Dam, Mai Trung Thu, Lê Thi Luu, Phạm Hậu, Nam Son, Lê Văn Đệ, Nguyễn Đức Nùng, Nguyễn Khang, Minh Châu … 

As well as signatures of French artists, traveling painters, or those who taught locally, such as Victor Tardieu, the famous founder of the École des beaux-arts de l’Indochine, as well as Alix Aymé, Evariste Jonchère, Joseph Inguimberty, Henri Emile Vollet… 

Take Advantage of our Expertise to Auction your Works by Asian Painters

Our Asian Paintings department holds 4 auctions every year in Paris, scheduled to coincide with the auction dates of the Asian Arts department. The calendar thus aligns with international events and the Parisian cultural calendar related to Asian arts, including Asia Now, Paris Asian Art Fair, the Paris Asian Spring, and Asian Week. Our correspondents in China and Vietnam carry out significant press relations work in Asia. Our “Asian Painters, China, Indochina & Vietnam” and “Asian Arts” auctions are followed by the world’s leading buyers. 

Access an International Circle of Buyers

The auction house possesses a unique strength in communications and provides sellers with modern, targeted tools for effective international promotion. We pay particular attention to the production of the sales catalog, both in its design and content, whether in print or fully digital. During our campaigns, we enlist buyers from our portfolio across all specialties as well as identified potential buyers. We communicate with them through multiple channels: online and offline advertising, social media, email campaigns, media outlets, influencers, and auction platforms, using tailored, high-quality materials, including images, text, and video… 

Free and Confidential Appraisals of your Asian Artworks and Paintings

Our experts travel throughout France and Europe in collaboration with our regional offices, in Lyon, Lille, Aix-en-Provence, Western France, Brussels, and Geneva, to conduct appraisals and valuations of your artworks. Committed to providing personalized service, we prioritize open communication to ensure a clear understanding of the key steps in these sales processes. 
We can also assist you with the search, sale, or acquisition of a unique artwork through private transactions, conducted with the utmost discretion. 
Prior to scheduling an appointment, you may submit your appraisal request along with a description, photos, and any relevant documents available regarding the artwork via the online estimate request form, or directly by email to our expert.