A talk on one of Vietnam’s top painters in the 20th century, To NgocVan (1906-1954), who left over a strong imprint with works and artisticideas of deep influence on the Vietnamese fine arts, will be held atL'Espace in Hanoi on December 6.
The event willfeature an introduction to the painter's works by Professor Chu Hao,while Thai collector Tira Vanictheeranont will talk about how he came tocollect hundreds of paintings and sketches by Van. Vanicthreeranontwill also speak about a book on the noted painter's sketches that willbe published soon.
Artist Phan Cam Thuong, who hasalready published a book on the painter's works called "To Ngoc Van –Tam guong phan chieu xa hoi Viet Nam 1906-1954" (To Ngoc Van – A mirrorreflecting the Vietnamese society in 1906-1954), will speak about hisresearch into his mentor's works.
Having a passionfor the art of painting when he was still young, To Ngoc Van left theBuoi Secondary School early to study the art. He then entered theIndochina Fine Arts College to learn oil painting in the 1926-1931period. His talent was soon recognised right on the first days in thecollege. Three of his works then "Anh mat troi" (Sunlight). "Bui chuoingoai nang" (Banana bush in the sunshine) and "Troi diu" (It’s a mildsky) attracted public attention.
Dynamic and keen tolearn, he was compelled by his love to art to read every book, magazineor newspaper article related to arts that he was able to get his handson. Each picture, be it a folk print of Dong Ho or Hang Trong, aJapanese wood carving, a Chinese watercolour, an Ajanta fresco, a modernWestern painting by Manet, Gaugin, Van Gogh or Matisse, filled the soulof the art-loving young man. He studied oil painiting but he also triedother mediums such as silk painting, wood carving and frescoes.
Graduating from the Indochinese Fine Arts College, To Ngoc Van waspassionate about the beauty of the diverse spectrum of colours. Hisskills had been perfected, his later style was basically established.There was a keen sculptor in him who was very sensitive to full, roundand graceful figures, especially to the beauty of the female form.
Not only a talented painter, To Ngoc Van was also an outstandinglecturer and a respectable teacher of the first generation of paintersin the revolutionary fine arts. He used to give training in Phnom Penh(1935-1938) and later the Indochina Fine Art College (1939-1945).
In many places, from the Central Highlands to Viet Bac (NorthernVietnam), an apt and pleasant artist was seen at times painting a posteron a patch of wall to inspire the resistance; masking and decorating afolding stage; printing leaflets under a curtain of jungle leaves;running the Resistance Culture Group; or managing the reorganisation ofthe Fine Arts College (1949-1950).
He lived amid hiscompatriots, sharing every joy and sorrow with the ordinary people,with the combatants and with hard-working farmers, who brought him theinspiration to create new works of art such as "Ha Noi vung len" (Hanoirose up), "Giac den giac di" (Enemies came and went), "Nu y ta" (Medicalmaid). These works signalled the initial changes taking place in him.His themes and characters began to change, getting more dynamic andlively, and focusing on depicting action.
To NgocVan was considered one of the first painters using oil paint in artworks in Vietnam. His paintings such as "Bac Ho o Bac Bo Phu" (PresidentHo Chi Minh in Tonkin Palace), "Thuyen tren song Huong," (Boat onPerfume River), "Thieu nu ben hoa hue" (Young woman by tuberose) etc.and sketches describing the rural landscapes and the resistance waragainst the French show a special talent, a sensitive soul, anenthusiastic heart and a patriotism.
To Ngoc Vancontinuously received valuable prizes: Gold Medal at Colony Exhibitionin 1931 with the oil painting "Buc thu" (The Letter), Certificate ofHonorary Commendation at French painters’ exhibition in 1932,Certificate of Commendation at Vietnam Fine Art Association’sexhibition. In 1933, his silk painting "Gia Dinh Viet Nam" (VietnameseFamily) was chosen for displaying at the Paris Colony Museum and he waselected member of the French Painters’ Association.
In addition, he won several honourable domestic prizes, such as thefirst prize at the National Fine Arts Exhibition held in Hanoi in 1954.Many of his works are displayed at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts,other overseas museums and private collections.
Hesacrificed on June 17, 1954 in Da Khe, Dien Bien Phu battlefield when hewas creating works. He was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prizefor the Literature and Art and the Independent Order, 1st class, in1995. As a tribute to To Ngoc Van, streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Citybare his name.-VNA
The event willfeature an introduction to the painter's works by Professor Chu Hao,while Thai collector Tira Vanictheeranont will talk about how he came tocollect hundreds of paintings and sketches by Van. Vanicthreeranontwill also speak about a book on the noted painter's sketches that willbe published soon.
Artist Phan Cam Thuong, who hasalready published a book on the painter's works called "To Ngoc Van –Tam guong phan chieu xa hoi Viet Nam 1906-1954" (To Ngoc Van – A mirrorreflecting the Vietnamese society in 1906-1954), will speak about hisresearch into his mentor's works.
Having a passionfor the art of painting when he was still young, To Ngoc Van left theBuoi Secondary School early to study the art. He then entered theIndochina Fine Arts College to learn oil painting in the 1926-1931period. His talent was soon recognised right on the first days in thecollege. Three of his works then "Anh mat troi" (Sunlight). "Bui chuoingoai nang" (Banana bush in the sunshine) and "Troi diu" (It’s a mildsky) attracted public attention.
Dynamic and keen tolearn, he was compelled by his love to art to read every book, magazineor newspaper article related to arts that he was able to get his handson. Each picture, be it a folk print of Dong Ho or Hang Trong, aJapanese wood carving, a Chinese watercolour, an Ajanta fresco, a modernWestern painting by Manet, Gaugin, Van Gogh or Matisse, filled the soulof the art-loving young man. He studied oil painiting but he also triedother mediums such as silk painting, wood carving and frescoes.
Graduating from the Indochinese Fine Arts College, To Ngoc Van waspassionate about the beauty of the diverse spectrum of colours. Hisskills had been perfected, his later style was basically established.There was a keen sculptor in him who was very sensitive to full, roundand graceful figures, especially to the beauty of the female form.
Not only a talented painter, To Ngoc Van was also an outstandinglecturer and a respectable teacher of the first generation of paintersin the revolutionary fine arts. He used to give training in Phnom Penh(1935-1938) and later the Indochina Fine Art College (1939-1945).
In many places, from the Central Highlands to Viet Bac (NorthernVietnam), an apt and pleasant artist was seen at times painting a posteron a patch of wall to inspire the resistance; masking and decorating afolding stage; printing leaflets under a curtain of jungle leaves;running the Resistance Culture Group; or managing the reorganisation ofthe Fine Arts College (1949-1950).
He lived amid hiscompatriots, sharing every joy and sorrow with the ordinary people,with the combatants and with hard-working farmers, who brought him theinspiration to create new works of art such as "Ha Noi vung len" (Hanoirose up), "Giac den giac di" (Enemies came and went), "Nu y ta" (Medicalmaid). These works signalled the initial changes taking place in him.His themes and characters began to change, getting more dynamic andlively, and focusing on depicting action.
To NgocVan was considered one of the first painters using oil paint in artworks in Vietnam. His paintings such as "Bac Ho o Bac Bo Phu" (PresidentHo Chi Minh in Tonkin Palace), "Thuyen tren song Huong," (Boat onPerfume River), "Thieu nu ben hoa hue" (Young woman by tuberose) etc.and sketches describing the rural landscapes and the resistance waragainst the French show a special talent, a sensitive soul, anenthusiastic heart and a patriotism.
To Ngoc Vancontinuously received valuable prizes: Gold Medal at Colony Exhibitionin 1931 with the oil painting "Buc thu" (The Letter), Certificate ofHonorary Commendation at French painters’ exhibition in 1932,Certificate of Commendation at Vietnam Fine Art Association’sexhibition. In 1933, his silk painting "Gia Dinh Viet Nam" (VietnameseFamily) was chosen for displaying at the Paris Colony Museum and he waselected member of the French Painters’ Association.
In addition, he won several honourable domestic prizes, such as thefirst prize at the National Fine Arts Exhibition held in Hanoi in 1954.Many of his works are displayed at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts,other overseas museums and private collections.
Hesacrificed on June 17, 1954 in Da Khe, Dien Bien Phu battlefield when hewas creating works. He was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prizefor the Literature and Art and the Independent Order, 1st class, in1995. As a tribute to To Ngoc Van, streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Citybare his name.-VNA
