Arts

A New Look at Portraits of the Nguyen Royal Family

"The Royal Nguyen II Dynasty" exhibition by painter Tran Minh Tam was presented to the public at Graig Thomas Gallery (Ho Chi Minh City).
In order to create this collection relating to the Nguyen dynasty, the last dynasty of Vietnam (1802-1945), the painter has long studied ancient documents and photographs.

The public is struck by the richness of the materials oil paintings, witnessing a period in the history of Vietnam.

Under the Nguyen dynasty, Hue was the capital of Vietnam. Thus, many of its remains are still ubiquitous, which greatly impressed Tran Minh Tam by their architecture. "I feel the bond that united the man of that time to nature and I have nostalgia for people who have lived in this beautiful scenery, "he said.

The characters painted on the spot tell of a period in the history of Vietnam under the feudal regime.
Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
A corner of the exhibition "The Royal Nguyen II Dynasty". Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
The portraits impressed visitors. Photo: File
The exhibition draws much attention from the public. Photo: File


A female character by Tran Minh Tam. Photo: File
Foreign tourists at the exhibition. Photo: File


The public discovers historical characters from a new angle. Photo’s file

Tran Minh Tam chose wood for his paintings because this material lasts through time. He chose the Nguyen, the most recent dynasty as there are so many documents.

Tran Minh Tam said, "For the portraits of King Gia Long, I combined Oriental and Western art because his reign marks the contact of Eastern culture with that of the West and the interaction between these two cultures.
 

King Gia Long (1802-1820). Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
King Thanh Thai (1889-1907). Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
Ho Chi Lac, wife of King Thanh Thai. Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
King Duy Tan (1907-1916). Photo: File
King Duy Tan and Madame Ho Thi Chi. Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
King Khai Dinh (1916-1925). Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
King Bao Dai (1926-1945) and his wife, Nam Phuong. Photo: File


The sun rises (Queen Nam Phuong and in the distance, the Perfume River) Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
Queen Nam Phuong. Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
Portrait of a mandarin. Photo: File
Portrait of a queen. Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP
The "Boi" singing. Photo: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat/VNP

By Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat and Files


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