Rare Lê Thi Luu maternity painting rediscovered in northern France to be auctioned in Lille

A silk painting by Vietnamese modernist Lê Thi Luu, previously unknown, has been found in a private collection in northern France. Entitled Maternité and created in 1973, this artwork is set to be auctioned by Artefact Enchères in Lille on September 12, 2026, with an estimated value between €150,000 and €200,000. For decades, it had not been listed in market databases or made available for public sale. Maître Lara Schweitzer, an associate auctioneer at Artefact Enchères, uncovered it during an inventory in the Lille area, with the owner unaware of its significance. Schweitzer immediately recognized its exceptional quality, and the auction house is thrilled to present this previously unseen piece to collectors.