9 Bảo vật quốc gia ở Bảo tàng Mỹ thuật Việt Nam (9 National Treasures in the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum) introduces nine national treasures that are now preserved in the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

HÀ NỘI The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and Fine Arts Publishing House have collaborated to release a bilingual book on nine national treasures that are now preserved in the museum.

The 115-page book, entitled 9 Bảo vật quốc gia ở Bảo tàng Mỹ thuật Việt Nam (9 National Treasures in the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum) and presented in both English and Vietnamese, introduces the creators and the nine national treasures, including their features and artistic values.

The book will help readers learn about Vietnamese fine arts and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum collection in particular.

Among them are five artefacts that became national treasures in 2013, including the statue of Quan Âm (Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara) originating from the Hội Hạ Pagoda in Vĩnh Phúc Province, the Statue of Queen Trịnh Thị Ngọc Trúc originating from Mật Pagoda in Thanh Hóa Province, oil painting Em Thúy (Little Sister Thúy) by artist Trần Văn Cẩn (1910-1994), the oil painting Hai Thiếu Nữ Và Em Bé (Two Girls and a Child) by painter Tô Ngọc Vân (1906 - 1954), and a lacquer painting Kết Nạp Đảng ở Điện Biên Phủ (Party Admission Ceremony in Điện Biên Phủ) by painter Nguyễn Sáng (1923-1988).

Em Thúy (Little Sister Thúy) by artist Trần Văn Cẩn in 1943.

Four artefacts recognised as national treasures in 2017 are a pair of doors carved with dragon motifs of Keo Pagoda in Thái Bình Province, lacquer painting Bác Hồ Ở Chiến Khu Việt Bắc (Uncle Hồ in the Việt Bắc War Zone) by painter Dương Bích Liên (1924-1988), the standing screen by painter Nguyễn Gia Trí (1908 - 1993) and the lacquer painting Saint Gióng by artist Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm (1918-2016).

Party Admission Ceremony in Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield by Nguyễn Sáng.

One of the national treasures featured in the book, the artwork Party Admission Ceremony in Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield, was completed by Nguyễn Sáng in 1963, nine years after the Điện Biên Phủ Victory. This year marks 60 years since the painter created the lacquer painting and ten years since it was recognised as a national treasure of Việt Nam.

The lacquer painting depicts the Party admission ceremony, which took place on the Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield, an important event for each soldier.

According to the book's introduction, Sáng spent days living with the soldiers during the anti-French resistance war. He became familiar with their figures, manner and equipment. However, he carefully made many sketches to study the soldier's physique, weapons, and personal belongings before painting them.

Party Admission Ceremony in Điện Biên Phủ Battlefield has a tight composition, strong shapes, and bold colours. The painting does not reveal too many techniques, but the bold contrast and ingenious colour transition have showcased a richness of colours and the artistic style of the leading artist of Vietnamese fine arts. It is an epic representation of the Vietnamese revolutionary spirit.

The lacquered wood statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokisteshvara originating from the Hội Hạ Pagoda in Vĩnh Phúc Province. — Photo courtesy of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

The oldest artefact introduced in the 9 National Treasures in Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is the lacquered wood statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokisteshvara, crafted in the 16th century.  

It is divided into three parts: the upper part is the 42-arm Avalokiteshvara sitting on a lotus pedestal; the middle part is a monster holding the lotus pedestal, a dragon head and two attendants Kim Đồng, Ngọc Nữ; the lower part is a hexagonal pedestal in which is intricately carved with typical motifs. 

The statue, 314 x 215 x 155cm and about six tonnes in weight, is one of the most massive and sophisticated ancient sculptures in Việt Nam. It is also assessed as an original and unique artefact bearing unique artistic values, typical of Vietnamese Buddhist art.

The book is now available at the museum's shop, La art, located at 66 Nguyễn Thái Học, Ba Đình, Hà Nội. It is priced at VNĐ 390,000 (US$16.60). VNS

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