A water-colour painting by artist Huỳnh Văn Thuận in 1950. VNS Photos Nguyễn Bình

HÀ NỘI — An exceptional collection of 80 paintings by distinguished artists from the 1945-54 era has been unveiled at the Việt Nam National Museum of Fine Arts.

The exhibition, titled 'Nghệ Sĩ Là Chiến Sĩ' (When Artists Became Soldiers), presents a unique occasion for aficionados of art to marvel at the masterpieces created by illustrious artists, including graduates from the renowned Indochina School of Fine Arts. 

“From all parts of the country, artists joined the resistance and became soldiers on the cultural and ideological front,” said Nguyễn Anh Minh, the museum’s director, at the exhibition opening ceremony in Hà Nội.

“They drew, organised exhibitions, wrote articles, taught painting, or even directly involved in fighting. They took the task of serving the country and the people’s happiness as a source of their inspiration and creativity.”

Visitors look at paintings at the exhibition.

The paintings were created using all kinds of papers and media available during wartime, such as pencil, ink, watercolour, gouache, and so on.

Artist-soldiers promptly captured realistic and emotional images of patriotism, heroism, solidarity, labour, and literacy education of the army and the people nationwide.

“It is moving to be here to look back at the unforgettable historical period of our nation,” Lương Xuân Đoàn, chairman of Việt Nam Fine Arts Association, said. “The paintings are the first beautiful works of our country’s fine arts.”

Notable works include Dao Găm Rèn Cho Du Kích (Forging Daggers for Guerrillas) in 1945 by Nguyễn Hiêm, Du Kích Bến Tre (Bến Tre Guerrilla) in 1948 by Diệp Minh Châu, and Bộ Đội Nghỉ Trong Hang (Soldiers Resting in Caves) in 1951 by Tô Ngọc Vân.

The set of posters by artist Lương Xuân Nhị is one of the highlights of the exhibition. The four-piece set printed on paper aims to demoralise soldiers on the other side.

The exhibition is one of several activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the “Outline of Vietnamese Culture” - the first platform on culture launched by the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

It is also to honour and pay tribute to the artists who have used brushes, colours, and papers as weapons and who devoted their enthusiasm and even their lives to the country and people, enriching Vietnamese culture's values.

The When Artists Became Soldiers exhibition runs until 5th March at 66 Nguyễn Thái Học Street. — VNS