It was a true privilege to be welcomed into the Singapore home of Philippe Damas, an esteemed collector. The afternoon was one of warmth, shared with painter Boi Tran and Francis Belin, former President of Christie’s Asia, a guiding voice in the art world.

Held just before the Christie’s Hong Kong auction, Philippe’s collection, A Quest for Eternity, went on to achieve a historic total of USD 7.85 million on March 29, 2025, setting 13 world records for artists including Nguyen Gia Tri, Joseph Inguimberty, Jos-Henri Ponchin, Victor Tardieu, Luu Van Sin, Nguyen Sang, Albert Cézard, Henri-Émile Vollet, Gaston Roullet, Marcel Bernanose, Georges Barrière, René Bassouls, François de Marliave, and one Asia record for Tran Phuc Duyen. Among the highlights was Les Trois Femmes by Nguyen Gia Tri, which realised USD 2.07 million.

More than a record-breaking achievement, it stands as a testament to Philippe’s discerning vision and unwavering devotion to cultural heritage, and to the growing global appreciation for Vietnamese modernist art.