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.

Sainte-Chapelle showcases one of the world’s largest collections of thirteenth-century stained glass windows. Situated in King Louis IX’s royal palace on Île de la Cité on River Seine, the Gothic-style chapel was initially meant to house the King’s relics. In this painting, Lim creates multiple layers to the artwork. He depicts Sainte-Chapelle in the background, a bridge in the middle ground, and a tree that encroaches on the right side of the painting in the foreground, rendering them in different tonal variations. This present piece displays the artist’s mature grasp of composition and handling of form.