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| ‘The Wheat Field’ was painted by King Ham Nghi in 1913. (Photo courtesy of Lynda Trouvé) |
The ancient royal capital city of Hue will showcase paintings by King Ham Nghi for the first time this month.
The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre has announced that the exhibit, titled ‘Sky, Mountain, Water | Allusive Panorama’, will be held at Kien Trung Palace within the Hue Royal Palace Heritage Site from March 25 to April 6. This event is organized in collaboration with the French Institute in Vietnam and Art Republik magazine.
As part of the cultural celebrations for the National Tourism Year 2025 and the 50th anniversary of Hue Liberation Day, the exhibition will showcase over 20 of King Ham Nghi’s paintings created during his exile.
These artworks, sourced from 10 private collections, have been repatriated and meticulously appraised, preserved, and restored by leading experts.
Curated by art researcher Ace Le and Amandine Dabat, PhD, a descendant of the Nguyen dynasty, the exhibition delves into King Ham Nghi’s artistic talent and his deep connection to his country.
Hoang Viet Trung, director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, emphasized the exhibition’s role in preserving and promoting Vietnam’s cultural identity. He added that it would help younger generations gain a deeper understanding of their history and foster a sense of responsibility for heritage preservation.
The event also underscores Hue’s reputation as a cultural hub in Vietnam’s historical narrative.
It offers a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts, both foreign and Vietnamese, to appreciate the modern art style embraced by King Ham Nghi, one of the earliest Vietnamese artists to do so.
According to curator Ace Le, King Ham Nghi’s paintings are a beautiful blend of his artistic prowess and patriotism. Le explained that the king’s artwork expressed his homesickness and contained a subtle yet powerful resistance to oppression during his exile.
The exhibition will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the valuable artwork and engage with curators and experts to learn more about the repatriation process of King Ham Nghi’s paintings.
In November 2024, Dabat selected Kien Trung Palace as the ideal venue for the exhibition during her visit to Hue. The recently restored palace, with its historical significance and unique architectural style, provides a fitting backdrop for displaying the former emperor’s paintings.
Additionally, Dabat donated the emperor’s artwork, ‘Hillsides in Deli Ibrahim (Algiers),’ to the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts last November. Created in 1908, this oil painting captures the countryside near his residence in Algiers, showcasing his use of the late 19th-century dot painting style to bring the vibrant colors of the evening to life.
Dabat has also authored a book, ‘Ham Nghi: Emperor in Exile – Artist in Algiers,’ based on her doctoral thesis, offering insights into the emperor’s artistic journey and featuring over 70 pages of fine artworks, sculptures, documentary photos, and letters.
This exhibition and the accompanying book contribute to preserving and promoting the cultural legacy of King Ham Nghi, ensuring that his artistic talent and love for his country continue to inspire future generations.
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