HA NOI (VNS)— A talk on one of Viet Nam's most influential 20th century painters, To Ngoc Van (1906-1954) will be held at L'Espace early next month.

The event will feature an introduction to the painter's works by Professor Chu Hao, while Thai collector Tira Vanictheeranont will talk about how he came to collect hundreds of paintings and sketches by Van. Vanicthreeranont will also speak about a book about the noted painter's sketches that will be published soon.

To Ngoc Van's Woman by a Lily

Artist Phan Cam Thuong, who has already published a book on the painter's works called To Ngoc Van – Tam Guong Phan Chieu Xa Hoi Viet Nam 1906-1954 (To Ngoc Van – A Mirror Reflecting Vietnamese Society in 1906-1954), will speak about his research into his mentor's works.

Van graduated from the Indochine Fine Arts College in 1931. In 1932, his silk painting titled The Letter was awarded the honorary certificate by the French Painters Association and awarded the gold medal at the Colony Exhibition in Paris. In 1935, he taught drawing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Van is particularly famous for his silk paintings of women. More notable among them are: Thieu Nu Ben Hoa Hue (Woman by a Lily), Hai Thieu Nu va Em Be (Two Women and a Little Girl) and Thieu Nu Voi Hoa Sen (Women by a Lotus).

The talk will take place at 2pm, December 6 at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street. – VNS