Lee Man Fong (1913-1988) was a prominent artist based in Indonesia and Singapore, closely associated with the Nanyang style, which blends Chinese painting techniques and subjects with Western composition and mediums. He primarily worked in oil, developing a distinctive style that combined lyrical brushwork with delicate realism. His work often depicted Balinese people and everyday scenes with elegance and sensitivity. A key figure in Southeast Asian modern art, Lee also established the Yin Hua Art Society and served as consultant and chief curator of the Indonesian Presidential Palace’s art collection to President Sukarno, leaving a lasting legacy in the region.

2 Women Combing Hair is a piece of work that showcases Lee’s masterful control of line, expression and composition. The piece reflects his grounding in Chinese calligraphic traditions while adopting the figural sensibilities of Western portraiture. The scene is intimate and quiet: one woman sits with flowing, unbound hair while the other gently combs through it. Their postures are relaxed, and their expressions serene, capturing a moment of care and quiet domestic ritual. Lee’s minimal yet expressive brushstrokes convey both texture and weight. The cascading strands of hair and the drapes in their clothing imbue the work with elegance and restraint. Soft washes of ink delicately add dimensionality and shadows of the scene, enhancing the painting’s sense of calm and timeless beauty.