TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Phillips HK’s two-day Taipei preview showcased exceptional artworks by Sanyu (常玉), Pierre Soulages, and Liu Ye (劉野).
The global auction house recently hosted in Taipei a preview of its upcoming Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale in Hong Kong. The event, held Nov. 2 and 3 in Dazhi District, displayed a selection of exceptional artworks from renowned artists.
One highlight was Sanyu’s iconic “Reclining Nude, with Raised Knee II” from the 1950s. The painting, estimated to be the highest-valued Sanyu work offered at auction this year, is from the collection of Dr. Eric Edwards, who once owned the record-breaking “Five Nudes.”
The masterpiece, with its bold lines, simplified forms, and rich history, is one of only two signed elongated nude paintings by Sanyu from the 1950s and '60s. The artist used varnish on the female figure, creating a smooth, glossy finish that echoes traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy techniques.
“Reclining Nude, with Raised Knee II” is estimated at NT$28 million (US$9 million).
Another standout was Pierre Soulages’ “Peinture 202 x 143 cm, 25 septembre 1967,” making its auction debut. The painting’s stark contrast between black and white creates a powerful visual impact, while the subtle interplay of light and shadow adds depth.
Soulages was the third artist, after Picasso and Chagall, to have a retrospective at the Louvre during his lifetime in 2019.
Liu Ye’s “Mondrian, Hello” is a contemporary work that blends Eastern and Western artistic traditions. The painting depicts a young girl holding a Mondrian-inspired object, creating a dialogue between past and present.
The Hong Kong auction is set for Nov. 25.
