Three prominent Vietnamese painters spotlighted in Paris exhibition

Featuring 150 works by the three artists, the exhibition traces their paths from their studies at the Hanoi School of Fine Arts to their long careers in France from 1937.

Three great Vietnamese painters: Le Pho (right), Vu Cao Dam (center), Mai Trung Thu (left). Photo: Cernuschi Museum

This exhibition - the first dedicated to three representatives of the development of Vietnamese art in the 20th century - brings together artworks from a variety of sources, including public and private lenders, the artists' families, close friends, and everyday art lovers. This is a unique opportunity to trace the stylistic trajectories of  Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, and Vu Cao Dam from the beginning to the end of their careers.

Designed in close collaboration with the artists' families, who have opened their archives, the exhibition traces the intrepid careers of three friends who loved their homeland as much as they loved France, against the backdrop of the political changes and relations between the two countries throughout the 20th century," commented a source at the Cernuschi Museum, adding that "vintage photographs, drawings from their formative years, and preparatory sketches are displayed alongside works on silk, oils on canvas, lacquered canvases, and sculptures in plaster and bronze. The association of techniques and materials drawn from Western and Asian traditions is emblematic of their work, which has found increasing recognition on the art market over the last thirty years.”

An artwork by artist Mai Trung Thu. Photo: Sotheby’s

The exhibition catalog is designed as a series of reference works to highlight the major stages of each artist's life and career. It helps viewers better understand the development of the styles and preferred themes of the three famous artists, which evolved over time, from the colonial context, the process of national liberation in Vietnam, and the successive wars from 1939 to 1975. The exhibition coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, where the historic fusion of Western art with Vietnamese traditions and the exchange of students and teachers gave rise to a unique artistic style emblematic of Indochina.

Ngo Kim Khoi, an art scholar and critic, believes the exhibition demonstrates the enduring value of Indochinese painting. "I know that many people from Vietnam and beyond are flying to Paris just to see this exhibition. It's a rare opportunity for all art lovers," he said.

The artwork entitled "Family in the Garden" by Le Pho. Photo: Sotheby’s

"L’Offrande” by Vu Cao Dam. Photo: Sotheby’s