Hanoi painter Chu Nhat Quang's lacquer work sets world record for size, artistry
Painter Chu Nhat Quang has made the history as his artwork of President Ho Chi Minh proclaiming the Declaration of Independence is recognized as the world’s largest monolithic lacquer painting.
THE HANOI TIMES — The artwork of President Ho Chi Minh proclaiming the Declaration of Independence by painter Chu Nhat Quang has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest monolithic lacquer painting.
The painting measures 7.2 meters in length, 2.4 meters in height and weighs three tons. It highlights Vietnam’s creative strength, determination and skill in mastering traditional lacquer techniques.
Painter Chu Quang (right) and State leaders contemplate the lacquer painting. Photos courtesy of artists
Austin Johnson, Official Adjudicator at Guinness World Records, said: “The record was confirmed after precise measurements by independent experts. The painting is 2.4 by 7.2 meters, making it the largest lacquer painting ever created.”
Art critic Mai Thi Ngoc Oanh, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, said that Vietnamese fine arts have always reflected the soul and aspirations of the nation.
“Vietnam has many famous lacquer painters, but this is the first lacquer painting recognized by the Guinness World Records. It brings pride to Vietnamese fine arts and honors the artists’ spirit of pushing beyond limits,” she said.
Oanh added that the painting captures the historic moment when President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the Declaration of Independence, linking history, culture and modern creativity while promoting Vietnamese art to the world.
Painter Chu Nhat Quang receives the certificate.
Passion for lacquer
Quang was born into a family with a rich artistic tradition. His grandfather, Chu Manh Chan, was a talented painter who has been involved in reviving and preserving the cultural heritages of northern villages through lacquer painting. Quang's grandfather, Chu Luong, was the former Director of the Thang Long Puppet Theatre in Hanoi.
This family background deeply influenced Quang’s choice of subject and his lifelong passion for lacquer. His childhood surrounded by traditional culture inspired him to pursue this demanding art form.
The lacquer is 2.4m by 7.2m in size.
“Lacquer painting draws me like a magnet. Even in the age of technology and AI, which can create lifelike images, lacquer painting remains unique. Each work is one of a kind, even the artist cannot recreate it exactly,” he said.
Quang studied art for eight years in the US and Australia. He said that his time abroad gave him new experiences that shaped his style, blending traditional and modern influences.
According to him, lacquer is a demanding medium that requires patience and precision. Preparing the wooden base alone takes about a month. The artist applies eight to eleven layers of lacquer, polishing and drying each layer before moving to the next.
The materials are expensive and require great skill. Each painting takes months to complete as the colors slowly blend and reveal their depth.
"Why does lacquer art require so many layers? Because when the artist applies the colours, it takes about two to three months for them to blend and create a beautiful painting that truly reflects their vision. This is a fascinating and suspenseful editing process for any lacquer artist," he explained.
For the world-record painting, Quang worked with his brother-in-law, painter Nguyen Thanh Tung. They spent years researching and testing techniques. From making the wooden base to painting, polishing and engraving with gold and silver, every step required patience and precision.
Artisan Tran Van Gia, who has more than 40 years of experience in the traditional lacquer craft in Hanoi's Duyen Thai Village said that the base plate cannot be bought ready-made. It must be completely handcrafted through dozens of elaborate stages.
“From selecting wood, applying paint, mixing sawdust and soil to prevent termites, to leveling, drying and applying paint many times, the process of making the base takes place over many weeks, even months, until the surface is durable and smooth enough to receive the first coat of paint," he said.
"If only with small-sized paintings, the work is extremely meticulous, then with large-sized, continuous lacquer paintings, all limits of technique, materials and human strength are pushed to the extreme."
The completed painting stands as a symbol of dedication and innovation, showing how creativity can overcome technical challenges and express national pride.
This world record marks a new achievement for Vietnamese fine arts, raising traditional lacquer to a global level and reflecting the love of the nation through the hands and hearts of its artists.
