Lifestyle

The Masterful Brushstrokes of Tran Van Can: Unveiling a Legacy

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum commemorated the 30th death anniversary of renowned Vietnamese painter, Tran Van Can, with the launch of a book celebrating his artistic legacy. On August 8, the museum unveiled this publication as a tribute to the master artist, marking three decades since his passing in 1994.

Administrator

15 August, 2024

The comprehensive 213-page book offers readers a rich collection of writings, visuals, and insights into Can’s artistic legacy, specifically focusing on his paintings housed within the museum’s walls.

This book serves as an invaluable resource for anyone eager to delve deeper into the life and work of Can, widely celebrated as one of modern Vietnamese fine arts’ foremost painters. It caters to both academics and art enthusiasts, providing a scholarly reference and a heartfelt tribute to the enduring allure of Vietnamese artistic expression.

Can, a native of Bac Ninh province in northern Vietnam, entered the world in 1910. He honed his artistic talents at the Ecole des Beaux Arts de Indochine from 1931 to 1937, during which time he fell under the mentorship of the institution’s founder, Joseph Inguimberty. This formative education left an indelible mark on his creative trajectory.

Can’s academic excellence earned him the title of “most excellent student,” and he went on to become a lecturer and, subsequently, headmaster at the college from 1954 to 1964. His most significant contribution to Vietnamese modern art lies in his mastery of lacquer painting.

With over five decades of artistic practice, Can produced a vast body of work that captures the multifaceted realities of Vietnam’s struggle for independence and its subsequent development. His paintings serve as a testament to the country’s rich historical narrative.

Among his most celebrated creations are “Em Thuy” (Little Thuy), “Goi Dau” (Hair Washing), “Cau Nong Dan” (Save the Farmers), “Tru Giac Doi” (Hunger Elimination), “Cay Lua” (Rice Transplanting), and “Nu Dan Quan Mien Bac” (Northern Militiawoman). These works have garnered acclaim for their powerful depictions of Vietnamese life and culture.

Can stood alongside other visionary artists of his generation, including Nguyen Gia Tri, To Ngoc Van, Nguyen Phan Chanh, Nguyen Do Cung, Nguyen Sang, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, and Bui Xuan Phai. Together, they laid the foundations for the flourishing of modern fine arts in Vietnam, leaving an indelishable mark on the country’s cultural landscape.

Adding to the significance of this occasion, the museum received a musical composition titled “Little Thuy’s Minuet,” crafted by Paul Zetter, former Assistant Director of the British Council Vietnam from 1998 to 2002. Zetter, inspired by Can’s “Em Thuy” painting, created a melodic tribute to the painting’s innocent beauty.

Speaking at the event where he handed over the musical composition, Zetter shared that his discovery of Vietnamese fine arts, and specifically Can’s “Em Thuy” painting, upon his arrival in Vietnam in 1998, left a profound impression. With the support of People’s Artist Ngo Hoang Quan, Zetter’s composition was arranged for a chamber music group and debuted at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts during the book launch.

According to museum director Nguyen Anh Minh, this musical acquisition marks a first for the institution. The composition will find a home in the museum’s digital platforms, serving as a brand identity, and will also grace its concert programs, further intertwining the worlds of art and music.

Since the latter part of 2022, the museum has initiated a regular concert series, “When Music Blends with Fine Arts.” These events aim to bridge the gap between symphonic music and fine arts, offering the public a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in these two pinnacle art forms.