An image of love, beauty and family made at the brink of war. This is ‘Conversation d'élégantes au jardin,’ a magnificent silk painting by Vu Cao Dam featured in The Hong Kong Sales. Impressive in scale, rich in color and infused with a quiet lyricism, the work represents the culmination of the Vietnamese artist’s celebrated silk works, before World War II would fundamentally alter the course of his life and practice. Here, Sotheby’s Michelle Yaw tells the story of this extraordinary painting, and she explains why, in Paris in 1939, Vu Cao Dam was inspired by peace. ‘Conversation d'élégantes au jardin’ heads to auction at #SothebysHongKong in The Modern & Contemporary Evening Auction, presented in partnership with celine, on 28 September. Register to bid at the link in bio.