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.

Running over 700 kilometres long, the Seine River is an important waterway in Paris. One popular activity for visitors is taking the excursion boats, or Bateaux Mouches, to see the sights and sounds of Paris along the river. Lim depicts the Parisian boats and buildings in the background while overseeing this famous river. In the foreground, Lim illustrates a scene of a couple sitting under a tree with a cat, showing an intimate moment before the viewer. Beyond this personal moment, the sky illuminates a pale evening glow that reflects on the surface of the Seine River, evoking the beauty of the city.