Viet Nam News
HA NOI — The lacquer painting Thac Bo (Bo Waterfall) by Nguyen Huyen (1915 –94), will be auctioned on April 29 in Ha Noi. The starting price is US$120,000.
Huyen produced up to 300 paintings of Bo Waterfall in the northern province of Hoa Binh, but only a few of them were made on a large canvas (about 1.5m by 2.5m). These paintings were selected as State gifts for President Sukarno of Indonesia, and Cambodian leader Sihanouk.
Experts remarked that this particular painting is one of great value.
“In terms of composition, Huyen uses a wide panorama,” said art critic Tran Quoc Hung.
“The objects are drawn clearly in the foreground while the background creates an open atmosphere.”
“In terms of colour, the artwork is created with a generally cool smoke colour that is considered unique in comparrison to other Vietnamese artists. This colour also is the reason why when one sees the painting, their feelings are emotional and the atmosphere of the Da River on a winter morning is well-described.”
Hung said that the painting contains hidden fine arts symbols, which interesting to discover and contemplate.
“We can see that the eggshell mosaic borders are very smooth because Huyen ground them carefully, and created hidden symbols such as the Mother Goddess and generals riding horses, which you can pick out if you look carefully” said Hung.
“Huyen’s lacquer technique is very professional, to the point where the gloss on water creates a multidimensional space and an amazing sense of natural light.”
Painted in 1962, the Thac Bo painting was certificated by Huyen’s son, Nguyen Gia Luong. It is one of three works of the painter which were displayed in 1983.
“We can conclude that there is no copy of this painting due to the artist’s inimitable technique,” said Hung.
Huyen is a talented lacquer artist. During his era, it was not easy to sell paintings, but he is one among few artists who could still organise exhibitions and sell their works. Huyen was a co-founder of the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association.
The painting Thac Bo and other paintings of Nguyen Trong Kiem, Nguyen Trong Hop, Duong Huong Minh, Thai Ba Van and Pham Luc will be under the hammer at Chon’s auction house, located at 17 Tran Quoc Toan Street, Ha Noi. — VNS