An undiscovered painting by modern Vietnamese artist Lê Thị Lựu sold for 215,000 euros at Artefact Enchères in Lille, according to auction house records and local reporting by ICI Nord la radio. The 1973 ink and gouache-on-silk work, titled Maternité, was discovered by chance during a private home inventory in northern France and surpassed its initial pre-sale estimate.
How the Rediscovery Happened in Northern France
The painting had remained inside a private northern French family collection for over twenty-five years without the owner realizing its financial or cultural worth, according to Artefact Enchères. The piece was unlisted in major art databases and had stayed out of public sales for decades. “Je suis entrée dans une chambre, j’ai vu ce tableau au mur, je lui ai demandé si on pouvait le décrocher”, auctioneer Lara Schweitzer told ICI Nord la radio, describing how she spotted the artwork during a routine household inventory. “J’ai vu le nom et je lui ai dit que c’était sa plus belle œuvre. Ma cliente ne le savait pas du tout, c’était un bien qui se transmettait dans la famille.” Following the appraisal, the piece went to auction on Saturday, September 12, 2026, and sold to an anonymous private collector for 215,000 euros.
Did you know?
Lê Thị Lựu’s total known output consists of roughly 300 paintings, making verified works on the public market exceptionally scarce, according to auction documentation.
The Legacy of Lê Thị Lựu in Modern Vietnamese Art
Born in 1911, Lê Thị Lựu broke institutional barriers in 1926 at age 15 when she gained admission to the École des Beaux-Arts d’Indochine, becoming the first female student to enter the institution, per Artefact Enchères data. She graduated at the top of her class in 1933, subsequently teaching in Hanoi and Saigon before moving permanently to France in 1937. “Elle a su s’imposer avec brio dans un milieu artistique alors très masculin”, notes the auction house catalog regarding her career integration within a male-dominated field.
After settling in Paris, she established a prominent artistic circle alongside fellow modern Vietnamese painters Mai Trung Thứ, Lê Phổ, and Vũ Cao Đàm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lê Thị Lựu?
Lê Thị Lựu (1911) was a pioneer of modern Vietnamese art, graduating top of her class from the École des Beaux-Arts d’Indochine in 1933 as its first female student before building her career in France.
How much did Maternité sell for?
The 1973 ink and gouache-on-silk work sold for 215,000 euros at Artefact Enchères in Lille, beating its pre-sale estimate.
Where was the painting kept before the auction?
According to Artefact Enchères, the piece was passed down through a family inheritance and hung inside a private residence in northern France for over twenty-five years.
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