Self-taught artist Lim Tze Peng is one of Singapore’s most prominent artists. His artworks do not adhere to the traditions of Western painting nor Chinese calligraphy. Instead, he adopts different aspects of art forms that appeal to him and, by doing so, envisions creating artworks that are universal. 

Lim is an avid traveller who enjoys painting en plein air. In the summer of 2000, he embarked on a two-month residency in Paris and explored the French capital with his paintbrushes in hand. Each day, as he observed the sights and sounds of the city, he captured his observations and experiences by painting. At the end of his residency, he painted over 60 works showcasing the city’s beauty. Out of these works, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts is honoured to receive 45 paintings as a personal donation by Lim – the largest contribution by an artist to the NAFA collection.

Hôtel de Sens features one of the finest medieval architectures in Paris, built between 1475 and 1507. It was initially used as a private mansion for the archbishops who came to Paris from Sens. Throughout history, it has been occupied by various tenants, including Queen Margot, wife of King Henri IV, to factories and workshops. Since 1961, it has housed the Forney Art Library, which stores collections dedicated to decorative and applied arts.