Description:

U BA THET (BURMESE 1903-1972)
The Moat with Water Lilies, 1956
oil on board
32.5 x 48 cm (12 3/4 x 18 7/8 in.)
matte dimensions: 37 x 52.5 x 1 cm (14 1/2 x 20 3/4 x 3/8 in.)
signed and dated lower left

PROVENANCE
Acquired by the present owner at Martyn Gregory Gallery, St. James, London, ca. 2001
Property of a Gentleman, White Plains

LOT NOTES
U Ba Thet is recognized as one of the founding fathers of modern Burmese painting, a visionary who redefined Myanmar’s artistic language in the mid-20th century. Born in Mandalay in 1903, he was among the first Burmese painters to reject the rigid academicism of his predecessors, instead pursuing a freer, more expressive style grounded in both tradition and intuition.

Although he trained briefly under U Ba Nyan, Ba Thet soon departed from his teacher’s Western realism, seeking to capture the spiritual vitality and emotional resonance of Burmese life. Working primarily in oil, he employed rich impasto and vigorous brushwork to evoke texture, atmosphere, and movement - techniques that gave his landscapes and figurative scenes a deeply modern sensibility.

Moat with Water Lilies exemplifies this mature style. The scene - likely inspired by the Mandalay Palace moat, a recurring subject in his oeuvre - is rendered through bold color harmonies and sculptural surface texture. The dense vegetation, reflections, and luminous sky merge into a vibrant orchestration of earthy greens, golds, and blues. Rather than a literal record, the painting conveys the psychological depth of place, its layered brushwork transforming water and foliage into symbols of memory and reverence.

Ba Thet’s independent spirit and teaching legacy shaped the direction of modern Burmese art. As mentor to U Kin Maung (Bank) and many others, he helped establish an expressive lineage that bridged realism, spirituality, and abstraction. Today his works are held in major public and private collections in Myanmar and abroad, celebrated for their emotional intensity and foundational role in the development of Burmese modernism.

CONDITION
Observed in frame, the painting is in good condition, craquelure, several visible areas of restoration and some scattered small areas of paint loss. Not inspected under UV light.

N.B. Condition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords: Burmese painting, Burmese art, Myanmar

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October 25, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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