Exhibition celebrating 100 years of Indochina College of Fine Arts

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Indochina College of Fine Arts (1925 - 2025), the thematic exhibition "The Ever-growing Roots" displays many works by prominent artists who taught at and came from this school.

The exhibition is taking place at Quang San Art Museum (HCMC) until January 31, 2026.

Under the guidance of painter Victor Tardieu, the Indochina College of Fine Arts went beyond simply introducing the academic art model to become an open space for both teachers and students to explore , from which to experiment with indigenous materials such as lacquer, silk, wood carving..., while also referencing external influences from France, China, Japan...

These combinations contributed to shaping the unique artistic identity of the Indochina period, leaving their mark and influence to this day. The exhibition is also a testament to how Vietnamese artists approached global art history from a local aesthetic, thereby creating a distinct artistic manifesto in a special historical period.

Mona Lisa (1974) by the late painter Mai Trung Thu

PHOTO: QUANG SAN

Among the outstanding works on display is the Mona Lisa (1974) by the late artist Mai Trung Thu. This is the third derivative work from Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, which he created at the end of his life on silk. The painting shows a dialogue between Eastern and Western painting, both honoring the Renaissance spirit and affirming Vietnamese identity with the main character with shiny black hair, deep yellow skin, wearing an ao dai set in the misty Ha Long Bay scene with soft hands typical of Asia...

Viewers admire The Girl and White Lilies by painter Le Pho

PHOTO: QUANG SAN

In addition, paintings by French lecturers, traveling artists and students in the first nine years of the Indochina College of Fine Arts are also on display. These include foreign artists such as Alix Aymé, Joseph Inguimberty, Henri Mège, Évariste Jonchère...

3 works (from left to right) : Hanoi Girl (To Ngoc Van), Portrait of a Girl (Tran Van Can), Trial Scene (Ton That Dao)

PHOTO: QUANG SAN

Mr. Nguyen Thieu Kien, Director of Quang San Art Museum, shared: "At this exhibition, the public will see works from very familiar names such as Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, Le Thi Luu, Vu Cao Dam, Nguyen Gia Tri, To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can... - those who laid a very solid foundation for modern Vietnamese fine arts. Through that, it will help viewers feel more, understand more and spread more love for painting of this period to the world ."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trien-lam-ky-niem-100-nam-truong-my-thuat-dong-duong-185250811230739075.htm