La Vie des Champs, a masterpiece painted by French Impressionist Paul Cézanne, appeared in Hong Kong for the very first time at a preview of private sale. For anyone interested to take a look at this great piece of work, don't miss the exhibition before it closes on 10 February.
An exceptional oil painting titled La Vie des Champs, meaning "The Life of the Fields" is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the sale. Created in 1876-77, the impressionist period of the artist, the painting depicts the beautiful landscape of Provence, the artist's beloved place where he spent most of his life in.
Provence is also known for its beautiful lavender fields
Left: Ambroise Vollard Right: Portrait of Vollard painted by Cézanne
The painting’s original owner was the legendary art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who gave Cézanne his first exhibition in 1895. Vollard is regarded as one of the most important dealers in French contemporary as he provided exposure to then unknown artists including Paul Gauguin, Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.
'Dodo' Hamilton is the heiress of the Campbell Soup fortune
After owned by several collectors, the painting then passed to Mrs. Dorrance "Dodo" H. Hamilton, renowned philanthropist and horticulturist. She was the heiress of the Campbell Soup fortune. Some of the collection from her estate went up for sale at Freeman's, including the painting La Vie des Champs, which is estimated at US$1.2m - 1.8m.
Freeman's has arranged a travelling tour of the painting to London, Paris, and Hong Kong (the only stop in Asia) before returning to Philadelphia. The painting made its debut at Macey & Sons' gallery in Hong Kong, drawing artists, collectors and journalists. The painting was displayed alongside other highlights, which will be introduced in our coming articles.
Ladies were excited to try on the 16.56-carat diamond ring. Right: Kate Flitcroft, jewellery specialist
Jonathan Macey, founder and CEO of Macey & Sons, volunteered to be a model
Freeman also brought another luxury piece — a 16.56 carat emerald-cut diamond and platinum ring. Estimated at US$600,000-800,000, the emerald-cut diamond is F-color with VS-2-clarity and is flanked by tapering baguettes.
The masterpiece and the rare diamond will be shown in "The Prestige Villiage" during the event 2018 Longines Masters of Hong Kong in AsiaWorld-Expo on 9-10 February. To buy tickets, you can check out the website.
Paul Cezanne (1839-1906), La Vie des Champs
Auction date: 2018/4/29
Estimate: US$1,200,000 - 1,800,000
A 16.56 carat emerald-cut diamond
Auction date: 2018/5/9
Estimate: US$600,000 - 800,000
Auction details
Auction house: Freeman's Auction
Venue: Philadelphia
Address: 1808 Chestnut St Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103