350 paintings featuring 20th-century Vietnamese art put up for sale

Artworks by both French and Vietnamese painters will be offered at the auction which will open with the theme of “20th Century Vietnamese Art”.

The founding of the Indochina College of Fine Arts (L’ecole des Beaux Arts de l’Indochine) was a crucial turning point in the nation’s art history as it began enrolling students in 1925 under the leadership of French painter Victor Tardieu.

Significant contributions to shaping Vietnamese art during this period must acknowledge French painters. Among them are prominent figures such as Victor Tardieu, Joseph Inguimberty, Alix Aymé, André Maire, and Henri Mege, all of whom will have paintings showcased at the upcoming event of Le Auction House.

Furthermore, artworks of the early graduates of the Indochina College of Fine Arts such as Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, and Vu Cao Dam will also be auctioned.

Additionally, the focal point of the “20th Century Vietnamese Art” auction delves into the Resistance Art period in Northern Vietnam, showcasing prominent artists like Luu Cong Nhan, Le Huy Hoa, Tran Luu Hau, Nguyen Trong Kiem, and Tran Dong Luong. Their works predominantly reflect realism, capturing the pulse of the era and the nation.

They also serve to illuminate a vibrant period in Vietnamese art, exploring themes ranging from landscapes, people, to the determination to defend the homeland and enthusiasm for causes such as national construction and development.

Moving to the South, until 1975, within just two decades, talented artists such as Nguyen Phuoc, Nguyen Trung, Nguyen Khai, Ho Huu Thu, and many others resonated, yearning for creativity and innovation amidst the aftermath of 30 years of intense war. They were integral in the resurgence of a rich, youthful, and modern art scene in Ho Chi Minh City, navigating unprecedented challenges in the process, according to Le Auction House.