Special exhibition about 3 famous Vietnamese painters in Paris

The works in the exhibition Le Pho, Mai-Thu, Vu Cao Dam - Pionniers de l'Art Moderne Vietnamien en France ( Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, Vu Cao Dam - Pioneers of Vietnamese modern art in France ) depict the journey of three famous artists, from studying at the Indochina Fine Arts School until becoming famous in France where they settled in 1937. This is an opportunity for art lovers to discover the unique heritage and contributions of the artists to modern art.

Triển lãm đặc biệt về 3 danh họa Việt tại Paris- Ảnh 1. — Mai Trung Thu, Vu Cao Dam and Le Pho *(from left to right)*

The exhibition coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, marking the first time Western art and Vietnamese tradition met. The deep exchange between students and teachers created a new art style, characteristic of Indochina.

Triển lãm đặc biệt về 3 danh họa Việt tại Paris- Ảnh 2. — An exhibition corner at the Cernuschi Museum

"Designed in close collaboration with the artists' families, the exhibition traces the daring journey of these three great artists, who loved their native country as much as France, against the backdrop of political changes and the relationship between the two countries during the 20th century," the Cernuschi Museum said. "Old photographs, drawings from their training years or sketches are juxtaposed with their paintings on silk, oil, lacquer, plaster sculpture or bronze. The combination of Western techniques and traditional Eastern materials is emblematic of their works, which have become increasingly popular on the art market over the past 30 years."

Triển lãm đặc biệt về 3 danh họa Việt tại Paris- Ảnh 3. — Mr. Ngo Kim Khoi stands in front of the painting *Northern Family House* by Le Pho at the exhibition.

The exhibition catalogue is designed as a series of reference works to highlight the main stages in the life and career of each artist. The colonial context, the process of national liberation of Vietnam, the consecutive wars from 1939 - 1975 ... help viewers better understand the development in style and favorite themes of the three artists.

"Rare opportunity"

Art researcher Ngo Kim Khoi expressed his pride and indescribable emotions when visiting the exhibition. Mr. Khoi is the grandson of painter Nam Son, one of the two painters (along with Victor Tardieu) who played a role in founding the Indochina College of Fine Arts.

Triển lãm đặc biệt về 3 danh họa Việt tại Paris- Ảnh 4. — Front gate of Cernuschi museum

Mr. Ngo Kim Khoi said: "Through the exhibition, the Cernuschi Museum wants to honor the generation of talented Vietnamese painters. In Paris, only the Guimet and Cernuschi Museums specialize in Asian art."

Triển lãm đặc biệt về 3 danh họa Việt tại Paris- Ảnh 5. — Le Pho's *Northern landscapes* at the exhibition

"After the three famous painters passed away, their families still kept many valuable documents, especially documents, manuscripts, and research when they were students at the Indochina Fine Arts School, showing the research and learning process of the famous painters and proving that the Indochina Fine Arts School provided very academic training through manuscripts, drawings, lessons... Thanks to that, future generations can understand the training methods at that time," he said.

Triển lãm đặc biệt về 3 danh họa Việt tại Paris- Ảnh 6. — The *Hue Bride* by Mai Trung Thu at the exhibition

This is a unique opportunity to see 150 works from 25 different collections gathered from many funds, museums, public or private organizations and the artist's family, close friends, or mere amateur collectors. Mr. Ngo Kim Khoi said: "The exhibition shows the world that Indochina paintings still have eternal value. I know many people buy plane tickets from Vietnam and many other countries to Paris just to see this exhibition. This is a rare opportunity".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trien-lam-dac-biet-ve-3-danh-hoa-viet-tai-paris-185250205213942284.htm