Blog 9: Vietnamese Lacquer on Wood

        It is well known that Vietnam carries French influence as a result of French colonization. This can be seen in architecture, cuisine, infrastructure, and art. An example of this is Banh Mi, a delicious Vietnamese sandwich that is served on Baguette and also contains mayonnaise, which are two French influences. However, for the purposes of this class, we'll discuss art. In 1925, the French brought Ecole des Beaux-Arts d’Indochine to Hanoi. This was the first Fine Arts School in Vietnam. This is where Vietnamese lacquer painting was revived. Lacquer painting is an ancient technique that began in China. It is deeply important to Vietnamese culture and is a point of pride. For a bit of background on lacquer paintings, lacquer is obtained from the sap of the lacquer tree and is meticulously applied in layers. They are polished to create a glossy and durable surface. Pigments are used, as well as eggshells, mother-of-pearl, metallic leaf, and other supplies. Lacquer pieces tend to be labor intensive and expensive. We will look at three lacquer on wood artworks. 

        Our first piece is titled "On the Way Back to the Market, North Vietnam," Created by the Thanh Son Studio in Hanoi. The exact artist is unknown, but this lacquer on wood piece was created in the 1940's. There is not much information found on the studio. 


        Three elements of this painting I enjoy are color, texture, and lines. I find myself drawn to the warm, light colors of the painting. It makes the painting quite harmonious, and there are no large contrasts. To me, this makes the piece feel peaceful and quiet. The color is also used as tone. The tone gives the painting depth. The dark brown in the background makes that part of the painting distant, and the lightness of the sky makes the red leaves of the trees stand closer. Additionally, the curved lines of the women give the feeling of movement. The way they are poised makes me imagine they move gracefully, and seem almost like the dance across the path. 

        The next work is "Nine Carps in the Water," by Pham Hau. This was created in 1941. This lacquer on wood also uses mother-of-pearl. Pham Hau is an example of the success of Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Hau was admitted in 1929 and studied there until 1934. Afterwards, he opened a workshop, where he mostly created works of landscapes, animals, and Pagodas. "Nine Carps in the Water" is an example of the skill and technical proficiency Hau possessed. It also contains symbolism. In East Asian cultures, carp hold significant symbolism and represent luck, prosperity, and success. They also show status.
 

        This is probably my favorite of the three works I have chosen. I enjoy the color, tone, and texture. The use of black in water was a beautiful choice and not something I have seen too often. It created a black mirror effect, which cannot be seen in the image form. The color also serves as tone. Because the water is black and the fish are off-white, they jump out from the water. This makes them appear bit like they are not in the water. To me, the angle shown in the piece makes it seem as if there should be sky in the background. The color makes it unclear if it is all water or if there is a change to sky. Either way, the carps feel a bit like they are floating above the water due to the color contrast. The ones in the upper left of the painting could even be flying. Another aspect of this piece I enjoy is the texture. There are a lot of different textures. The tree and leaves, the rocks, the plants, the water, etc. I like the way they compliment each other and make the work feel a little bit busier. This also contrasts the simple darkness in the water. 

        These past two pieces were from Vietnam's Golden Age of modern art, which was characterized by technical brilliance and creativity. For our last piece, we have Tran Dinh Tho's "Paysage du Delta." This was created in 1960, after the Golden Age. Tran Dinh Tho's artwork, who was influenced by politics and was a member of the National Salvation Culture Association and Communist Party of Vietnam. His political involvement began after the August Revolution of 1945, when Vietnam declared independence from France. Tran Dinh Tho was also the Principal of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association for twenty years.


        In Vietnam, the color red is used as a symbol of luck, prosperity, happiness, and celebration. It can also be used to represent communism. Given Tran Dinh Tho's history with political artwork and writing, I don't think it's out of the question that this could be a political artwork. Unfortunately, I did not find literature about the meaning behind "Paysage du Delta." That being said, "Paysage du Delta" translates from French as "Delta Landscape." This could be in reference to the Mekong Delta Region, also referred to as "The Delta." The Mekong was a significant place for the Viet Cong, which was a communist-driven armed movement in South Vietnam. However, we are unable to verify this connection. I think the use of color in this piece is very bold. The red sky and reflected red water contrasts with the land and the plants. The lack of texture in the sky and water make the red feel a little overwhelming. 

        All three are beautiful pieces that took a lot of time and precision to create. I don't think I've seen lacquer on wood in person, but I've have been to Vietnam a few times and am always fascinated by the artwork and history. I have a small street painting that I brought back from last time I went. I love the color and the lines of the art. 

Sources: 

Ha, C. Vietnamese Lacquer Painting in 1930 - 1945. Asian Art and Architecture. (2023) 

Tran Dinh Tho Biography. Vietnam the Art of War

French Allure in Vietnam's Golden Age of Art. Sotheby's. (2020)

Vietnamese Lacquer Painting - "Son Mai Buc Tranh". Asiana. 





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