HÀ NỘI — Marking the 950th anniversary of the founding of Quốc Tử Giám (1076–2026), the Quốc Tử Giám in Art exhibition has opened at the Thái Học Courtyard of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.

The exhibition celebrates the site's outstanding historical and cultural significance while showcasing nearly a century of artistic works inspired by the iconic monument.

As Việt Nam's first national academy, Quốc Tử Giám has long stood as a symbol of the nation's tradition of learning, respect for teachers and pursuit of knowledge. Over the past millennium, its architecture, landscape and cultural legacy have inspired generations of Vietnamese and international artists.

Visitors view artworks at the Quốc Tử Giám in Art exhibition, which showcases nearly a century of artistic creations inspired by Việt Nam's first national academy. VNS Photos

The exhibition features more than 60 works by 34 artists across a wide range of media. The collection spans documentary photographs and architectural sketches by French architects and photographers from the early 20th century, paintings by renowned artist Bùi Xuân Phái from the 1980s, contemporary watercolour sketches, and newly created works in silk, lacquer, engraved lacquer, stainless steel, composite materials, photography and multimedia installations by young artists.

A historic cover of Tứ Dân Tạp Chí, illustrated by Tô Ngọc Vân and inspired by Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, is on display at the Quốc Tử Giám in Art exhibition. Photo courtesy of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities.

Designed as an open exhibition space, the display combines wall-mounted works with wooden structures to create an engaging visual journey through layers of history, art and emotion. The dialogue between artworks from different periods and artistic media offers visitors a multidimensional experience, highlighting Quốc Tử Giám not only as a historic monument but also as a cultural icon that continues to inspire creativity.

Nguyễn Đức Phương's Students of the Water Deity is among the contemporary works on display at the Quốc Tử Giám in Art exhibition, reflecting new artistic interpretations of the historic site and its cultural legacy. Photo courtesy of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities.

According to Nguyễn Văn Tú, Deputy Director of the Centre for Cultural Activities, integrating heritage into contemporary life is one of the most effective ways to preserve and promote its value.

"Art serves as an important bridge connecting the public with cultural heritage, making history more accessible while communicating cultural values through the language of emotion and creativity. Quốc Tử Giám in Art reaffirms the enduring role of Quốc Tử Giám today, helping spread the values of learning, scholarship and creativity to audiences in Việt Nam and abroad as we approach the academy's 950th anniversary," he said.

Curator Nguyễn Thế Sơn said the exhibition was conceived in recognition of the site's enduring appeal as a source of artistic inspiration across different historical periods.

"The earliest artworks depicting Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám were sketches and plein-air oil paintings created by French artists in the early 20th century," he said.

"Later, with the establishment of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, lecturers and students alike continued to draw inspiration from this space, producing paintings, prints and other artworks throughout their careers."

A visitor scans a QR code to access digital content accompanying an artwork at the Quốc Tử Giám in Art exhibition, where technology enhances visitors' engagement with cultural heritage.

By bringing together works from different eras and artistic traditions, the exhibition highlights the vital role of art in preserving, interpreting and renewing cultural heritage. As Việt Nam looks towards the 950th anniversary of its first national academy, the exhibition seeks not only to celebrate the country's enduring tradition of learning and intellectual aspiration, but also to bring this treasured heritage closer to both domestic and international audiences.

The Quốc Tử Giám in Art exhibition will run until August 5. — VNS