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The paintings convey farmers’ desire for a better life and are unique in that they are made with all-natural materials, including diep paper (from seashell powder and glutinous rice), and colors refined from various kinds of plants.
To make a painting, craftsmen press woodblocks with four different colors – black, red, green, and yellow – onto a sheet of paper. The painting is then covered with a layer of rice paste to strengthen its durability and dried in the sun.
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One of the most famous Dong Ho paintings is “Dam cuoi chuot” (Rats’ Wedding), which dates back 500 years. It depicts both humor and sarcasm, going beyond the story of a rats’ wedding to portray wide class gaps and corruption in society.
“Rats’ Wedding” is a skillful painting reflecting social issues and expressing the farmers’ discontent with their oppression.
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Pham Tiep & Hoang Lan
