U Ngwe Gaing

Myanmar
b. 1901

U Ngwe Gaing (1901-1967) is widely regarded as one of Burma's greatest old master painters. He influenced a generation of Burmese painters and till today many Myanmar artists linked their lineage to him through their teachers who were students of Ngwe Gaing. His works are highly sought after by collectors of Burmese art.

Ngwe Gaing was skilled in both oil and watercolour paintings. His oils typically used heavily applied brush strokes, in the impasto style. The two paintings offered for sale here are very typically of his oil technique. In 1953, Ngwe Gaing was bestowed the title "Alinga Kyawzwa", the highest title that can be bestowed to a Burmese artist. His works can be found in both major private and public collections including the Singapore National Art Gallery.