A poster by artist Trịnh Thái in 1968. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Bình

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum and Fine Arts Publishing House have launched a book of posters made from 1958 to 1986. 

The book, entitled Khát Vọng Hòa Bình (Our Nation's Quest For Peace), includes 81 posters from the museum's collection introduces readers to a range of different graphic artists applying their skills to one particular theme. 

"These selected posters brought together in this book are striking illustrations of all these stages in our nation's development of the graphic artforms," said Nguyễn Hải Yến, art critic, on Tuesday. 

"Through the book, messages of inspiration and patriotic spirit have been communicated to our people with skill, energy and originality. 

"It is thus a book that will bring vividly to life the glories of our national history, and the deep and enduring quest for peace that has always been central to our traditions and cultural values."

The museum has amassed a rich collection of posters produced in a wide variety of styles dating from the early 20th century to more recent times. 

They reflect a host of concerns and official campaign themes and provide intriguing insights into the life and concerns of Vietnamese people as they faced the many challenges of war and peace in the modern age. 

The posters have eye-catching use of colour and composition and blend arresting images with the forcefulness of official slogan language. 

All are works evoking ideals of patriotism, unyielding resistance to the invaders, heroic spirit in battle, and the selfless dedication of workers and producers in farmlands and industrial workplaces. 

The book is arranged chronologically, beginning with works created during the resistance war against the US then moving forward in time to period of đổi mới (renewal). 

The posters such as Thừa Thắng Xông Lên (We Go Forward To Defeat The Enemy Invaders) by Huỳnh Văn Gấm; Xẻ Dọc Trường Sơn Đi Cứu Nước (Building the Trường Sơn For the Salvation of Our Homeland) by Xuân Hồng or Lên Đường Lập Tiếp Chiến Công (Advancing To The Next Great Victory) by Nguyễn Tiến Cảnh and others were created in various circumstances and express the resolve to win. 

The posters made after 1975 depict the national cause of building socialism.

These works reflected the country's great historical events such as the decision to name the country the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam and to select Hà Nội as the country's capital at the First Session of the Sixth National Assembly or the Six National Party Congress which adopted the reform policy known as đổi mới (renewal). 

These inspired the artists to create meaningful works such as Chung Một Ngọn Cờ (Sharing A Single Flag) by Huỳnh Phương Đông; Mùa Xuân Vĩnh Viễn (Eternal Spring) by Lê Đức Lai and Việt Nam Hòa Bình Thống Nhất (A Peaceful and United Việt Nam) by Thục Phi. 

Some 30 posters have been on display at a newly-opened exhibition at the museum since Tuesday. 

"We want to highlight the important role of posters, which are a special graphic art," said the museum's director Nguyễn Anh Minh at the opening ceremony. 

"We hope the public will look at a panorama of Việt Nam's fine arts."

The book and the exhibition aim to celebrate the 54th anniversary of Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum on June 24. — VNS