Mère et Enfant (Mother and Child)
Print on paper (lithograph) • Le Pho (Vietnamese-French, 1907-2001)
Style & Movement
Modern art, Vietnamese-French School
Medium & Technique
Color lithography on wove paper
Creation Period
1969
Dimensions & Format
Vertical portrait format, approximately 24 x 18 inches (60 x 45 cm) for the image area
Subject Description
A tender domestic scene depicting a Vietnamese mother in a white traditional ao dai holding a young child wearing yellow pajamas. The figures are set against a textured, impressionistic background predominantly in blues with hints of red, orange, and green foliage, reminiscent of French post-impressionism fused with traditional Vietnamese aesthetics.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The paper appears clean, colors remain vibrant, and there is no visible foxing or major tears in the visible image area, matted and framed under glass.
Estimated Market Value
USD 4,000 - USD 7,000
Auction Estimate
USD 3,000 - USD 5,000
Provenance History
Numbered edition in the lower left corner (24/150) and signed/dated in the lower right (Le Pho 1969), indicating publication through a commercial fine art gallery or publisher active in the mid-20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Le Pho is one of the foundational figures of modern Vietnamese art who successfully bridged traditional Asian subjects with Western modernist techniques after relocating to France. This limited edition lithograph demonstrates his mastery of tender domestic portraiture and atmospheric color fields.
Notable Features
Clearly numbered 24/150 in the lower-left margin and signed and dated 'Le Pho 1969' in pencil in the lower-right margin, confirming it as an authentic mid-career authorized print edition.
Condition Issues
Minor potential light aging of the paper margins, though hidden by matting. No structural tears or severe foxing apparent through the glazing.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct sunlight and UV exposure to prevent fading of the delicate blue and yellow inks. Maintain stable humidity and temperature conditions, and ensure archival acid-free matting if re-framed.