MAI TRUNG THỨ (1906-1980) Lot n° 18

Image, 1952 Ink and color on silk, signed and dated upper right, countersigned and titled on reverse 17,2 x 29,7 cm - 6 3/4 x 11 3/4 in. Often depicted smiling, playing, imbued with innocence, as illustrated in his 1972 work “Jeunes enfants chuchotant”, Mai Trung Thứ’s childlike scenes were enshrined as early as 1963 in an exhibition organized by Jean-François Apesteguy at Galerie du Péristyle and entitled “Les enfants de Mai-Thu”. In Image, five young boys are shown sitting on the floor around a drawing, one of them seemingly narrating the story emanating from the drawing, while the others listen attentively, sometimes observing his reactions. The moment seems leisurely and peaceful. Mai trung Thu captures a moment in life. The faces express a variety of emotions, imbued with spontaneity, and the characters are distinguished by the color of their clothing, underlining the individuality of each figure. Mai Trung Thứ meticulously depicts certain details, such as the draping of clothing, creating a soft, silky effect of movement.