Silk highlight: A painting exhibition entitled A Glimpse of Viet Nam is being held in Florence to boost visitor numbers. — File Photo

FLORENCE — Images of Viet Nam and its people are featured in a on-going exhibition in the Italian city of Florence.

The painting exhibition entitled A Glimpse of Viet Nam displays over 50 paintings of diversified materials such as silk, cloth, do (poonah) paper, and lacquer.

Vietnamese painters Mai Long, Le Quan, Vo Tuan and Bao Hanh showcase the different ways of depicting the beauty of Viet Nam's landscape and people.

Many visitors came to the exhibition opening, which highlighted artist Mai Long who painted on silk material during the ceremony. The 83 year-old Hue-based artist's works charmed visitors.

Through the silk paintings Fishing at the Pond, The Dance and The Lady, all 80cm by 100cm, Long hoped to convey the dream of a peaceful life to Italians.

Long is a brilliant but little known artist outside of Viet Nam. He graduated from the Viet Nam Fine Arts College in 1954 and won many national prizes for his works mostly done on silk.

A great number of his paintings are displayed in museums in Russia, France and in private collections in Viet Nam and worldwide.

The exhibition was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Lotus Gallery in HCM City.

The event is just one of many activities to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnamese – Italian diplomatic ties, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Dang Khanh Thoai at the opening ceremony.

He said that Viet Nam would work closely with the Tuscan authorities to popularise Vietnamese art among local people.

The Tuscan authorities pledged to continue working alongside Viet Nam to host more cultural and economic events in the near future to strengthen relations between the two countries.

After closing on Friday, the exhibition is expected to be move to Venice and Rome later this month. — VNS