Mun Sen Yong Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Mun Sen Yong Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 06, 2024
YONG MUN SEN (Malaysian, 1896-1962) River landscape
Est: £300 - £500
YONG MUN SEN (Malaysian, 1896-1962) River landscape Watercolour on paper, mounted in a glazed frame Signed 'MUNG SEN' and dated '51' to lower left 27 x 37cm, the frame 46.5 x 55.5cm THIS LOT IS OFFERED WITH NO RESERVE 無底價 - NOTE: Yong Mun Sen (1896 - 1962) was a Malaysian artist and one of the founders of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, then Malaya. Born Yong Yen Lang in Kuching, Sarawak, he changed his name to Yong Mun Sen in 1922. Although trained in formal Chinese brush painting and calligraphy in China, Mun Sen is particularly noted for his watercolour landscape paintings.
Chiswick Auctions
Nov. 06, 2024
YONG MUN SEN (Malaysian, 1896-1962) Forest
Est: £300 - £500
YONG MUN SEN (Malaysian, 1896-1962) Forest Watercolour on paper, mounted in a glazed frame Signed 'MUN SEN' and dated '1948' to lower left 27 x 37.5cm, the frame 46.5 x 55.5cm THIS LOT IS OFFERED WITH NO RESERVE 無底價 - NOTE: Yong Mun Sen (1896 - 1962) was a Malaysian artist and one of the founders of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, then Malaya. Born Yong Yen Lang in Kuching, Sarawak, he changed his name to Yong Mun Sen in 1922. Although trained in formal Chinese brush painting and calligraphy in China, Mun Sen is particularly noted for his watercolour landscape paintings.
Chiswick Auctions
Nov. 06, 2024
YONG MUN SEN (Malaysian, 1896-1962) Harbour
Est: £300 - £500
YONG MUN SEN (Malaysian, 1896-1962) Harbour scene Watercolour on paper, mounted in a glazed frame Signed in Chinese and dated '51' to lower left 27.5 x 37.5cm, the frame 46.5 x 55.5cm THIS LOT IS OFFERED WITH NO RESERVE 無底價 - NOTE: Yong Mun Sen (1896 - 1962) was a Malaysian artist and one of the founders of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, then Malaya. Born Yong Yen Lang in Kuching, Sarawak, he changed his name to Yong Mun Sen in 1922. Although trained in formal Chinese brush painting and calligraphy in China, Mun Sen is particularly noted for his watercolour landscape paintings.
Chiswick Auctions
May. 26, 2024
YONG MUN SEN : Bounty from the Sea, 1940
Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000
Yong Mun Sen, a pioneering figure in the Malaysian art scene, left an indelible mark with his innovative approach and cultural contributions. Born in 1896 in Sarawak, Malaysia, he traversed diverse artistic styles and mediums, cementing his legacy as one of the nation’s foremost artists. Yong Mun Sen’s oeuvre reflects a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of Malaysian life and culture. Through his vibrant paintings, he captured the essence of everyday scenes, from bustling marketplaces to tranquil landscapes, infusing them with a sense of vitality and authenticity. His mastery of color and composition brought his subjects to life, imbuing them with warmth and depth.
KLAS Art Auction
May. 26, 2024
YONG MUN SEN : Paddy Field, 1940
Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000
Yong’s artistic forte and heart were landscapes in watercolour. With Western impressionism, complemented by Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Yong garnered aficionados from the US, Australia and the UK. When Yong came across a scene that spoke to his soul, he would swiftly set up his easel and camp stool, equipped with a brush in hand to relay it on the canvas. Yong’s identification of his subjects’ struggles, including fishermen in seaside villagers, farmers in paddy fields and labourers in plantations took centre stage. His conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm.
KLAS Art Auction
Feb. 04, 2024
YONG MUN SEN : Fishing on the Rock, 1949
Est: RM6,000 - RM12,000
It’s quite impossible not to be immensely captivated by Yong Mun Sen’s artworks. They possess a certain quality to them that draws the viewers in and envelope them in the nostalgic landscapes, seascapes and figures that were his habitual subjects. Dubbed as the Father of Malaysian painting, the late Yong Mun Sen, born on Jan 10, 1896 was one of Malaysia’s pioneer artists. The country’s art scene is as vibrant and diverse as it is today due to his pertinent contributions. As one of the innovating self-taught artist, Yong left a strong legacy of watercolour and oils. The artist was born in a coconut estate in Kuching, Sarawak with the forename of Yen Lang. He could have settled for a life of ease, taking over the family business as a wealthy planter but he chose to answer the call of art.
KLAS Art Auction
Feb. 04, 2024
YONG MUN SEN : Palms, 1948
Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000
t’s quite impossible not to be immensely captivated by Yong Mun Sen’s artworks. They possess a certain quality to them that draws the viewers in and envelope them in the nostalgic landscapes, seascapes and figures that were his habitual subjects. Dubbed as the Father of Malaysian painting, the late Yong Mun Sen, born on Jan 10, 1896 was one of Malaysia’s pioneer artists. The country’s art scene is as vibrant and diverse as it is today due to his pertinent contributions. As one of the innovating self-taught artist, Yong left a strong legacy of watercolour and oils. The artist was born in a coconut estate in Kuching, Sarawak with the forename of Yen Lang. He could have settled for a life of ease, taking over the family business as a wealthy planter but he chose to answer the call of art.
KLAS Art Auction
Feb. 04, 2024
YONG MUN SEN : By the River, 1949
Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000
It’s quite impossible not to be immensely captivated by Yong Mun Sen’s artworks. They possess a certain quality to them that draws the viewers in and envelope them in the nostalgic landscapes, seascapes and figures that were his habitual subjects. Dubbed as the Father of Malaysian painting, the late Yong Mun Sen, born on Jan 10, 1896 was one of Malaysia’s pioneer artists. The country’s art scene is as vibrant and diverse as it is today due to his pertinent contributions. As one of the innovating self-taught artist, Yong left a strong legacy of watercolour and oils. The artist was born in a coconut estate in Kuching, Sarawak with the forename of Yen Lang. He could have settled for a life of ease, taking over the family business as a wealthy planter but he chose to answer the call of art.
KLAS Art Auction
Jan. 14, 2024
Yong Mun Sen (b. 1896 - 1962) Untitled, 1947
Est: RM4,000 - RM7,000
Executed in 1947, this work by pioneer artist Yong Mun Sen encapsulates the tenacity and resilience of our forebearers through their diligent spirit. It features a farmer and water buffalo tirelessly ploughing across the paddy fields, loosening the soil for nutrients to be brought to the surface, in preparation for the seeds to grow and develop well. The silhouette of the figure and animal are finely modelled using deft strokes. His impeccable skill is shown in this work. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, but one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999. The exhibition Yong Mun Sen In Nanyang was held at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries, NAFA Campus 1, Singapore, from February to May 2023.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Jan. 14, 2024
Yong Mun Sen (b. 1896 - 1962) Untitled
Est: RM4,000 - RM7,000
Viewed from a distance, pioneer artist Yong Mun Sen records images of boats across the reflective surface of the ocean, giving insight into the weather conditions. Located near a fishing village, the calm surroundings of distant mountains, sea and cloud filled skies are executed with delicate, earthy hues. The subtle colour tones convey a sense of tranquillity, producing an atmospheric composition. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, but one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999. The exhibition Yong Mun Sen In Nanyang was held at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries, NAFA Campus 1, Singapore, from February to May 2023.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Jan. 09, 2024
Yong Mun Sen (Malaysian, 1896-1962) Watercolor
Est: $100 - $1,000
DESCRIPTION: Watercolor on paper painting by Yong Mun Sen (Malaysian, 1896 - 1962) depicting a beach scene with figures and a boat. Signed "Mun Sen" at lower right. CIRCA: Early - Mid 20th Century ORIGIN: Malaysian DIMENSIONS: (Sight) H: 15" W: 22" (Frame) H: 20" W: 27" CONDITION: Mild spot of water damage at top. Unless otherwise stated, all information provided is the opinion of our specialists. Should you have any specific questions regarding the condition of this lot, please use the ask question button or send us an email.
Akiba Galleries
Dec. 15, 2023
Watercolor, Yong Mun Sen
Est: $400 - $600
Yong Mun Sen (Malaysian, 1896-1962), "Lonely Beach," watercolor, signed lower left, sight: 10.5"h x 14.5"w, overall (with frame): 21"h x 25"w
Clars Auctions
Dec. 08, 2023
YONG MUN SEN | Kek Lok Si Temple, 1952
Est: S$5,000 - S$7,000
Watercolor on paper: 47 x 62.5 cm Signed and dated lower right
Global Auction
Nov. 07, 2023
Yong Mun Sen (1896-1962)
Est: £800 - £1,200
Yong Mun Sen (1896-1962) 'untitled' Watercolour, each painted with a figurative seaside view, each signed Mun Sen 50, dated 1950, framed and glazed. 38 x 26cm excluding mount. (2) 楊曼生一九五零年作水彩畫兩幅，玻璃鏡框 cf. Yong Mun Sen was a leading figure in the field of modern paintings in Southeast Asia. He was a Malaysian artist and one of the founder of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, then Malaya.
Roseberys
Sep. 24, 2023
YONG MUN SEN : Chinese Junk, 1950
Est: RM7,000 - RM13,000
Born in 1896 in Sarawak, Yong’s forte and heart were landscapes in watercolour. With Western impressionism, complemented by Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Yong garnered aficionados from the US, Australia and the UK. Yong’s identification of his subjects’ struggles, including fishermen in seaside villages, farmers in paddy fields and labourers in plantations took centre stage. His conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm.
KLAS Art Auction
Jul. 09, 2023
YONG MUN SEN : Woodlands, 1947
Est: RM6,000 - RM9,000
Known to be the Father of Malaysian painting, the artist was born on 10 January 1896 as Yen Lang. He left his father’s coconut estate in Kuching, Sarawak to receive formal education at Guangdong Province of China in 1901. There, he picked up his skills of using brush and calligraphy before he went back to Kuching in 1910. He was first inspired to paint pictures of lions and tigers in China (1914) by a Japanese artist painting watercolours. Along the way, the artist not only picked up the skill of photography but begin producing plaster-of-paris sculptures. He also developed his style in oil paintings. In 1936, Mun Sen became the Vice President of the Penang Chinese Art Club for two years before it was disbanded due to Second World War in 1939. He turned to farming for survival during the period of the Japanese Occupation of Malaya. He had painted several abstract watercolour pieces with the influence of Chinese art. Mun Sen had his first of several strokes in 1956 and eventually succumbed on 29 September 1962. Today, Mun Sen’s works can be seen in all the major institutions in Singapore, Malaysia and private collections throughout Asia.
KLAS Art Auction
Jul. 09, 2023
YONG MUN SEN : Malayan Kampung, 1946
Est: RM6,000 - RM9,000
Yong’s artistic forte and heart were painting landscapes in watercolour. Yong’s conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm. ‘Boats, 1949’ is an illustration of just that, taking viewers back in time when the waters were pristine, fishing was villager’s main source of income and wooden boats in all its glory were common sights. This work is immensely serene and meticulous, showcasing Yong’s prowess for art.
KLAS Art Auction
Jun. 25, 2023
Yong Mun Sen (b. 1896 - 1962) Whirlwind Penang, 1947
Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000
There is a popular Chinese adage: "If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." Here, in Yong Mun Sen's watercolour, two anglers are perched on a big rock with fishing rods, with the waves swirling around the shallow waters. The spot may look unyielding, but experienced anglers just know where fishes foray for food though the anglers prefer to work solitary. The slightly droopy figures look patient, but company makes time fly by faster. The haul may not amount to much, but in Mun Sen's halcyon days, it suffices for the family meal, with the 'extras' sold or given to neighbours. It was a time of innocence, when people are simpler and more contented. The boulder represents land, with the water and the sky demarcated only by a thin horizon line. Or one can think of the historical story of (Jiang) Taigong, a Shang imperial minister, noted for fishing patiently for the right time to overthrow the corrupt Shang kingdom and helping set up the Zhou Dynasty. The work also recalls Dato' Tay Hooi Keat's 1947 watercolours, Fishing, Tanjung Bungah. Yong Mun Sen, dubbed the Father of Malaysian Painting, first dabbled in watercolours, for which he became mainly known, in 1930, but his reputation as artist and activist straddles both the then Malayan peninsular and Singapore. In 1966, he was honoured with posthumous Memorial exhibitions in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (Gallery 11), followed by two major ones in 1972 at the National Art Gallery and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG). The PSAG gave him a full-blown retrospective in 1999. Among other things, Mun Sen co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists, and was a proponent in the formation of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. As early as 1948, he had held a solo exhibition in London (Malayan Pavilion, British Industrial Fair, 1948), besides later in Tasmania (Australia) and Cleveland (United States). He also set up his art gallery cum photography studio in Penang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Jun. 25, 2023
Yong Mun Sen (b. 1896 - 1962) Untitled, 1947
Est: RM4,500 - RM8,000
Mun Sen highlights a small wooden boat commonly used for fishing and transportation. This work shows Mun Sen's skill in portraying essential forms, with the three figures and boat drenched in soft, neutral hues along the coastal waters. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer- publisher Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co- founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999. The exhibition Yong Mun Sen In Nanyang was recently held at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries 1 & 2, NAFA Campus 1, Singapore, from February to May 2023.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 19, 2023
Yong Mun Sen (b. 1896 - 1962) Kampung House, 1947
Est: RM7,000 - RM11,000
Framed by vertical, intersecting coconut trees extending towards the sky, this village landscape surrounded by nature and vegetation is a prime example of tranquillity. The billowing clouds, produced through swift and confident strokes, shows his exploration of spatial depth. Its exquisite forms and delicate colours are reflected in the mirror like pond in front of the home. Sitting in a relaxed position at the entry way, a male figure gazes into the distance, perhaps immersed in the wonderful scenery. Mun Sen conceived this moment of contemplation and dreams into a sophisticated expression with his charming brushstrokes and fresh colours. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 19, 2023
Yong Mun Sen (b. 1896 - 1962) Boarding A Boat, 1949
Est: RM7,000 - RM11,000
A vision of tranquil serenity, this work reveals Mun Sen's interest in boats at sea. The sky and water are drenched in soft, neutral hues. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999. A tribute exhibition Yong Mun Sen In Nanyang is currently held at Nanyang Academy Of Fine Arts (NAFA), The Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries 1 & 2, NAFA Campus 1, Singapore, from February to May 2023.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Feb. 20, 2023
Yong Mun Sen.Vietnamese (1896-1962) Island scenes Two watercolours,signed and dated 47/48
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Yong Mun Sen.Vietnamese (1896-1962) Island scenes Two watercolours,signed and dated 47/48
Artvisory
Dec. 03, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (1896-1962) Untitled
Est: $20,000 - $40,000
Yong Mun Sen (1896-1962) Untitled 1948 signed and dated 48 watercolour on paper 28 by 38.5 cm. 11 by 15 1/8 in.
Bonhams
Nov. 27, 2022
YONG MUN SEN : Crossing the River, 1944
Est: RM6,000 - RM13,000
Yong’s artistic forte and heart were painting landscapes in watercolour. Yong’s conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm. ‘Crossing the River’ is an illustration of just that, taking viewers back to a time when the waters were pristine, and villagers took sampan to cross the river to their destination – evoking a feeling of nostalgia. Artworks by the artist are collected by the institutions in Malaysia and Singapore
KLAS Art Auction
Nov. 27, 2022
YONG MUN SEN : Village Scene Along the River, 1953
Est: RM6,000 - RM13,000
Yong’s artistic forte and heart were landscapes in watercolour. With Western impressionism, complemented by Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Yong garnered aficionados from the US, Australia and the UK. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm. The‘VillageScene Along the River’ is an illustration of just that, taking viewers back to a time when the waters were pristine, busy fishermen on the wooden docks and on their boasts, and the villagers about their routine — evoking a feeling of nostalgia. Artworks by the artist are collected by the institutions in Malaysia and Singapore
KLAS Art Auction
Nov. 27, 2022
YONG MUN SEN : House by a River, 1950
Est: RM2,000 - RM5,000
When Yong came across a scene that spoke to his soul, he would swiftly set up his easel and camp stool, equipped with a brush in hand to relay it on the canvas. Yong’s identification of his subjects’ struggles, including fishermen in seaside villagers, farmers in paddy fields and labourers in plantations took centre stage. His conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm. The ‘House by a River, 1950’ is an illustration of just that, taking viewers back to a time when the waters were pristine, wooden houses on stilts with thatched straw roofs amid nature in all its glory – evoking nostalgia.
KLAS Art Auction
Nov. 06, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Untitled, 1949
Est: RM100,000 - RM150,000
It was 1949. Those were the halcyon days when Malaya was still frontier land, with little infrastructural development, what with the effects of the dreaded Japanese Occupation in 1941-1945. Life was tough, and pioneer artist Yong Mun Sen had used the chicken pair as a socio-economic poetic empathy of the people, the way China's Xu Bei Hong depicted horses as a political metaphor during the Japanese Occupation of China. It was a time of reopening and rebuilding, and the people, as symbolised by the chickens here, were working hard to eke a living, foraging for bits of food in a sparse, even parched landscape. The ruffled feathers - what's left - are most telling, of the hardship, what with the dull yellowed backdrop. This was also a time of the Malayan Emergency communist insurgency, though there was a spot of cheer when Malaya won her first Thomas Cup in London. But Malaya was not yet one as a nation, as Penang and Malacca were still a British Crown colony until the shouts of Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957. On the other hand, some viewers may interpret the chicken pairs as a symbol of true love, and faithful companionship. They look after each other, they work hard, making an honest living. Yong Mun Sen, nee Yen Lang, was dubbed the 'Father of Malaysian Painting' by pioneer artist historian Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan. A fourth-generation Malayan, Mun Sen was also a pioneer photographer who started painting in watercolours in 1920s. He was given a Retrospective by the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1999 and a posthumous exhibition in 1972, the same time as the National Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur. He was also accorded posthumous exhibitions in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur's Galeri 11 in 1966. Mun Sen was also an art activist, co-founding the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936 (president, 1937), the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists (vice-president, 1936) and the Penang Art Society in 1953, with his patron Loh Cheng Chuan as president. In 1922, he set up the Tai Koon Studio in Penang, which was renamed the Mun Sen Studio in 1930 with a branch in Northam Road the next year. He had solo exhibitions in London (Malayan Pavilion, British Industrial Fair, 1948), Tasmania (Australia), Singapore and Cleveland (United States).
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Nov. 06, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Farmers, 1940
Est: RM10,000 - RM18,000
This vivid rendition of a group of paddy farmers reveals the artist's sentiments towards the diligent and stoic nature of the country folk. It contains a strong design element highlighting the movement of clouds on a breezy day that depicts the richness of the sky, giving a feeling of airiness in a vast, open space. The tranquil atmosphere of the scene is enhanced with gentle reflections in the water and addition of trees painted softly in the distance. Yong Mun Sen's deft brushwork combined with translucent fresh blue hues capture the pristine beauty of the local landscape and humble village folks imbued with a profound sense of unity, making an honest living. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, but one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Aug. 28, 2022
YONG MUN SEN : Village Scene Along the River, 1953
Est: RM8,000 - RM15,000
Yong’s artistic forte and heart were landscapes in watercolour. With Western impressionism, complemented by Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Yong garnered aficionados from the US, Australia and the UK. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm. The ‘Village Scene Along the River’ is an illustration of just that, taking viewers back to a time when the waters were pristine, busy fishermen on the wooden docks and on their boasts, and the villagers about their routine — evoking a feeling of nostalgia.
KLAS Art Auction
Aug. 28, 2022
YONG MUN SEN : Malayan Junk, 1947
Est: RM4,500 - RM9,000
Born in 1896 in Sarawak, Yong’s forte and heart were landscapes in watercolour. With Western impressionism, complemented by Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Yong garnered aficionados from the US, Australia and the UK. Yong’s identification of his subjects’ struggles, including fishermen in seaside villages, farmers in paddy fields and labourers in plantations took centre stage. His conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm.
KLAS Art Auction
Jul. 17, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 – 1962) Malay Gentleman
Est: RM70,000 - RM120,000
Portraitures by Yong Mun Sen were few and far in between, what more his one of all people, a Malay Gentleman, and done in oil. Was it a commissioned piece, someone he knew well, a passing acquaintance or something in the person that made him want to capture his visage in oil on canvas? With a truncated cone kopiah on his head, and in white too, and with a scarf loosely strung over his shoulders, the moustachioed subject seems transfixed on something or someone in front. He looks pious, and maybe an Islamic official of some standing. What’s the occasion, Hari Raya, Awal Muharram, a wedding?. Mun Sen, nee Yen Lang, was dubbed the ‘Father of Malaysian Painting’ by pioneer-artist historian Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan. A fourth-generation Malayan, Mun Sen was also a pioneer photographer who started painting in watercolours in 1920. He was given a Retrospective by the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1999 and a posthumous exhibition in 1972, the same time as the National Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur. He was also accorded posthumous exhibitions in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur’s Galeri 11 in 1966. Mun Sen was also an art activist, co-founding the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936 (president, 1937), the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists (vice-president, 1936) and the Penang Art Society in 1953, with his patron Loh Cheng Chuan as president. In 1922, he set up the Tai Koon Studio in Penang, which was renamed the Mun Sen Studio in 1930 with a branch in Northam Road the next year. He had solo exhibitions in London (Malayan Pavilion, British Industrial Fair, 1948), Tasmania (Australia), Singapore and Cleveland (United States).
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Jul. 17, 2022
Lai Foong Moi (b. Negeri Sembilan, 1931 - 1995) Untitled (Boats), 1959
Est: RM70,000 - RM120,000
The year 1959 saw Lai Foong Moi at her versatile finesse. She had just returned to Singapore from studies in Paris and had painted several works of the Chinese tongkang (junks) in Singapore. The period was also notable for her Sarawak sojourn where she stayed with the Dayak in the longhouse and painted. Some of these tongkang works were shown at the University of Malaya Art Museum in Singapore in March 1959 in an exhibition curated by Prof. Michael Sullivan. The year 1959 is notable for several iconic works like Rumah Panjang Sarawak, Penari Iban, Morning In The Kampung and Gadis Melayu. Of course, her Samsui Woman is regarded as the symbol of Malayan feminism. Lai Foong Moi was actually born in 1928, the Chinese lunar Year of the Dragon, and died of cancer in August 1995. She is a pioneering legend in Malaysian art, inspiring many women artists before she took up Singapore citizenship when she taught at her alma mater, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) where she had studied from 1950-1953. She won a French government scholarship to study at the famous Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris from 1954-1958 where her mentor was Prof. Chaplain-Midy, the classmate of Georgette Chen, who was also her mentor in NAFA. Despite her prolific talents and versatility, she had only three solos in the 1960s – Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore. For personal reasons, she stayed away from exhibitions and her last show was the Pont des Arts in Singapore in 1994. Her stature was such that her works were accepted into Paris exhibitions with their stringent standards, and even won Honorable Mention in a Societes des Artistes Francaise exhibition. In Ooi Kok Chuen’s obituary of her in The New Sunday Times on Dec 10, 1995, art historian Redza Piyadasa ranked her “a major artist”. “She was very important not only as a woman painter, but a painter of her generation… even in Southeast Asia.”
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Jul. 17, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Untitled (Boats), 1952
Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000
Few boats are seen resting near one another on clear water. One figure is seen seated on his boat enjoying the calming view as he watches the day slowly passing by. Yong Mun Sen’s iconic watercolour paintings capture the grandeur of nature rendered in swift and deft strokes. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, but one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Jul. 17, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Untitled, 1952
Est: RM7,000 - RM10,000
Yong Mun Sen was among the earliest pioneer artists of Malaysia who played an important role in the development of fine arts institutions such as the Penang Chinese Art Club, the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists, and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He was best known for his impressions of the Malayan landscape, capturing the lives of the people by the sea, villages and plantations. Executed in translucent hues, this work illustrates Yong Mun Sen’s confident rendering of forms using watercolor. Lively brushstrokes convey the shifting qualities of light. The scene is framed by tall coconut palms that extend towards the clouds. A cluster of viridian green shrubs leads the viewer towards a group of relaxed figures which infuses the scene with the light-filled airiness of the vast countryside.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
May. 29, 2022
YONG MUN SEN : Pots and Rafts, 1944
Est: RM3,500 - RM7,000
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KLAS Art Auction
May. 29, 2022
YONG MUN SEN : Paddy Field, 1944
Est: RM3,500 - RM7,000
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KLAS Art Auction
Mar. 27, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Portrait Of A Lady
Est: RM70,000 - RM110,000
This portrait of a seated woman, and another of a nun, should dispel any doubt about Yong Mun Sen’s ability to paint figures since most of his figures were summarily dismissed in irregular blotches of colours rather than enunciating the forms properly. The woman with bee-stung lips looks demure and impeccably dolled-up. She is clad in a V-shaped brown baju kurung blouse clasped higher up with a glittering keronsang (brooch) for modesty rather than a vampish plunging neckline. Her keronsang is matched by two bling-bling earrings. Her hair seems tied up with a ribbon at the back. The only flesh visible are her face and neck and hands at the ends of the long sleeves. Mun Sen is a Taipu Hakka born in Sarawak, a fourth-generation Malayan, who had painted in watercolours since 1920. Dubbed the Father of Malaysian Painting by Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, the pioneer chronicler of art pioneers in Malaysia, Mun Sen was accorded post-humous Memorial exhibitions in Singapore and Gallery 11 in Kuala Lumpur, both in 1966; followed by two in 1972 by the National Art Gallery and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG). The PSAG gave him a full-blown retrospective in 1999. Mun Sen was also active in art promotion, being a co-founder of the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936 (president, 1937), the Penang Art Society (1953) and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists (vice-president, 1936). His overseas solos included London (Malayan Pavilion, British Industrial Fair, 1948), Tasmania (Australia), Singapore and Cleveland (United States). He set up the Tai Koon Studio in Penang 1922 (renamed Mun Sen Studio in 1930, with a branch in Northam Road the next year).
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 27, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Untitled, 1950
Est: RM2,500 - RM5,000
Yong Mun Sen’s iconic watercolour paintings usually capture the grandeur of nature. Unlike this piece rendered in swift and deft strokes shows a celebrative ceremony held at a temple. People are seen carrying offers on their heads and harmoniously embracing their cultural beliefs. Dubbed the ‘Father of Malaysian Painting’ in the eponymous book by Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, the legendary Yong Mun Sen was a fourth-generation Malaysian who was accorded posthumous memorial exhibitions in Singapore (1966), Kuala Lumpur (National Art Gallery, March 1972) and Penang (Penang State Art Gallery, PSAG, September 1972). The PSAG honoured him with a major Retrospective in 1999. Mun Sen boasted solo exhibitions in London (Malayan Pavilion, British Industrial Fair, 1948), Tasmania (Australia) and Cleveland (United States). He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club (1936), the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He set up the Tai Koon Studio in Penang in 1922 (renamed Mun Sen Studio in 1930, with a branch in Northam Road the next year). Until then, he went by his birth name, Yong Yen Lang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 27, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Kampung House / Seaside Village, 1952
Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000
It’s a most typical idyllic kampung attap hut by the sea scene popularly pursued by Yong Mun Sen in his early watercolours. A solitary stilt hut with the ubiquitous coconut tree or two, and the mountain in the distance with the wide expanse of sky. Delicate colours of ochre, blue, and green convey a sense of tranquillity and peace. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 27, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - 1962) Boats Through The Nets, 1936
Est: RM100,000 - RM180,000
One of the earliest oil paintings to be produced by Yong Mun Sen, Boats Through The Nets stands to be the oldest piece in this sale. It was during the mid-thirties that the artist began producing some of the most exceptional oil paintings of his lifetime. Illustrated here is the view of the sea through the lens of Yong Mun Sen who had perhaps set up an easel on location as he was known to have worked en plein air to capture the essence of tropical life. A boat floating by the coast is the focus of this piece framed by a cobweb of fishnets hanging above wooden poles to dry. Two figures on the beach are distinctly toiling in the heat of the sun suggested by the golden sand and sky. His dark palette is reminiscent of the chiaroscuro style of painting with a combination of post-Impressionist technique employed by Paul Gauguin. As a self-taught painter, he experimented with Western style paintings through art books and magazines as well as from his fellow artist-friends at the time. After witnessing a Japanese artist painting in his family’s coconut and pepper plantation, Yong Mun Sen (born Yong Yen Lang) became inspired to become a painter. He changed his name to Yong Mun Sen in 1922, two years after settling in Penang. He had established a photography studio named Tai Woon / Wei Guan Art Studio in 1922 and renamed it Mun Sen studio in 1930 which then became a favourite meeting place for fellow artist-friends namely Tay Hooi Keat, Kuo Ju Ping, Khaw Sia, Lee Cheng Yong, Abdullah Ariff and other pioneering Malaysian artists. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected vice president. He initiated the formation of Singapore Chinese Art Club the same year. Posthumous memorial exhibitions were honoured to him in Singapore (1966), Galeri 11, Kuala Lumpur (1966), the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur (1972) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG, 1972). In 1999, the PSAG organised a retrospective exhibition where Boats Through The Nets was displayed. Dubbed ‘The Father of Malaysian Art’ by many, Yong Mun Sen has left behind a remnant of history for the present and future art enthusiasts to remember him by. The great Xu Bei-hong (1895-1953) described Mun Sen as “the most outstanding figure in Malaysian art and one of the few top artists in the tropics.”
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 02, 2022
Yong Mun Sen (Chinese, 1896-1962) Village scene along the river
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
Yong Mun Sen (Chinese, 1896-1962) Village scene along the river signed and dated 'MUN SEN/1953' (lower left) watercolour 37.5 x 55.2cm (14 3/4 x 21 3/4in). For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams
Dec. 05, 2021
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - d. 1962) Untitled, 1941
Est: RM5,000 - RM8,000
Yong Mun Sen’s iconic depictions celebrated the enigmatic Malayan landscape. Focusing on the play of value contrasts on a group of sunlit trees, Mun Sen conveys a calm and placid scene of a traditional fishing settlement, accompanied with sampan boats in the foreground. The rural landscapes and its distinct beauty capture the sensations of a warm tropical climate. The legendary Yong Mun Sen is one of the earliest watercolorists, but one with profound influence and high visibility. He was referred to as the Father of Malaysian Painting by dealer-gallerist-artist-writer-publisher Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan in several of his books on pioneer artists. Born Yong Yen Lang, Mun Sen (the name he adopted in 1922) returned to China briefly (1914) before picking up art on his return to his hometown Sarawak. He had stints in Singapore before settling in Penang (1922), where he set up a photography studio cum gallery. He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists. He was accorded posthumous memorials by Singapore (1966), the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur) and the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) in 1972, and the PSAG followed it up with a retrospective in 1999.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Dec. 05, 2021
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - d. 1962) Untitled, 1952
Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000
Two people are enjoying a respite on a bench by a roadside ‘hole-in-the-wall’ extension stall, chatting away (preoccupied with daily bread-and-butter issues). The stallholder is ensconced on a platform together with his products, whatever he is selling. More likely, they are related somewhat to the stall vendor. A makeshift roofing of corrugated zinc is reinforced with a cloth (tarpaulin?) extension for extra protection from the searing afternoon heat (the harsh light of the ambient colour used by the watercolourist par excellence Yong Mun Sen), with no trees or vegetation in sight. It’s 1952, a leap year, and everything was spartan, even the road was unpaved. Dubbed the ‘Father of Malaysian Painting’ in the eponymous book by Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, the legendary Yong Mun Sen was a fourth-generation Malaysian who was accorded posthumous memorial exhibitions in Singapore (1966), Kuala Lumpur (National Art Gallery, March 1972) and Penang (Penang State Art Gallery, PSAG, September 1972). The PSAG honoured him with a major Retrospective in 1999. Mun Sen boasted of solo exhibitions in London (Malayan Pavilion, British Industrial Fair, 1948), Tasmania (Australia) and Cleveland (United States). He co-founded the Penang Chinese Art Club (1936), the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He set up the Tai Koon Studio in Penang in 1922 (renamed Mun Sen Studio in 1930, with a branch in Northam Road the next year). Until then, he went by his birth name, Yong Yen Lang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Dec. 05, 2021
Yong Mun Sen (b. Sarawak, 1896 - d. 1962) Untitled
Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000
Yong Mun Sen was ‘old school’. He liked to paint alfresco, though sometimes if it suddenly rained or became windy, he would resort to his trusted Leica (or Rolleiflex), and he was a superb photographer with a shop to boot. This scene of boulders and rocks on slightly different elevation of a stream must be in Batu Ferringhi in Penang. His son, Yong Cheng Wah, now deceased too, recalled that the trishawman Ah Kow, who was also a keen photographer, would often take him there – the transport expenses courtesy of philanthropist-art lover Loh Cheng Chuan, by special arrangement. Before the advent of public (and private) swimming pools, such alcoves of stream were a favourite picnic spot and lovers’ rendezvous, besides being a kid’s delight for its abundance of little peacock fishes as pets. It’s refreshing to watch how the upstream water meander its way down, past the big boulders which look like toll collectors, insinuate its way past a cluster of smaller rocks and regroup on more level soil. Although Mun Sen could have painted the scene blindfolded, each visit presented new possibilities and challenges.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Nov. 28, 2021
YONG MUN SEN : Kampung House by the Sea, 1949, by the Beach
Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000
Yong Mun Sen’s artistic forte and heart were landscapes in watercolour. With Western impressionism, complemented by Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Yong garnered aficionados from the US, Australia and the UK. When Yong came across a scene that spoke to his soul, he would swiftly set up his easel and camp stool, equipped with a brush in hand to relay it on the canvas. Yong’s identification of his subjects’ struggles, including fishermen in seaside villages, farmers in paddy fields and labourers in plantations took centre stage. His conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm.
KLAS Art Auction
Oct. 18, 2021
YONG MUN SEN (1896-1962) Three figures in a boat watercolour
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
YONG MUN SEN (1896-1962) Three figures in a boat watercolour signed and dated '47 to lower left 16.5 x 36cm
Leonard Joel
Oct. 03, 2021
YONG MUN SEN : House by a River, 1950
Est: RM4,000 - RM9,000
Yong Mun Sen’s artistic forte and heart were landscapes in watercolour. With Western impressionism, complemented by Chinese calligraphy aesthetics, Yong garnered aficionados from the US, Australia and the UK. When Yong came across a scene that spoke to his soul, he would swiftly set up his easel and camp stool, equipped with a brush in hand to relay it on the canvas. Yong’s identification of his subjects’ struggles, including fishermen in seaside villages, farmers in paddy fields and labourers in plantations took centre stage. His conveyance grants viewers with an immaculate escape, a breath of fresh air or to remind people to break away from the bustling life. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Yong did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm. The ‘House by a River, 1950’ is an illustration of just that, taking viewers back to a time when the waters were pristine, beach clean and the villagers about their routine– evoking a feeling of nostalgia.
KLAS Art Auction
Sep. 14, 2021
Yong Mun Sen (Chinese, 1896-1962) A beach hut (unframed)
Est: £700 - £1,000
Yong Mun Sen (Chinese, 1896-1962) A beach hut signed and dated 'MUNSEN/1949' (lower left) watercolour 28 x 38.5cm (11 x 15 1/4in). unframed For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website
Bonhams