The cover of the book Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Hàng Trống featuring an original genre of traditional Vietnamese woodcuts by artisans in Hà Nội. — Photo anninhthudo.vn

HÀ NỘI — A book featuring Hàng Trống paintings has recently been released, offering a glimpse into an original genre of traditional Vietnamese woodcuts by artisans in Hà Nội.

Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Hàng Trống (Hàng Trống Folk Paintings) is the result of two-year preparation of its author, collector Nguyễn Thị Thu Hòa, following the publication of two previous editions featuring two other genres of Vietnamese folk paintings - Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Kim Hoàng (Kim Hoàng Folk Paintings) and Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Đông Hồ (Đông Hồ Folk Paintings).

All three of the books have been made by the author herself, from going on field trips, meetings with artisans, designing and printing.

The third edition, which includes 340 pages, was completed while Hòa stayed at home during the social distancing period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To compile the information for the book, she met senior artisan and the only temporary practitioner of Hàng Trống folk paintings, artist Lê Đình Nghiên and his son Lê Hoàn, to record their career stories.

One of its highlights is nearly 400 pictures and photos, many of which are rare and precious ones collected from various sources, including the author’s own collection.

Hàng Trống Folk Paintings also showcases the process of making a complete work, illustrated via hundreds of photos taken and provided by Nghiên and Hoàn.

“The publication of the book aims to bridge Hàng Trống folk paintings with modernity. Besides providing necessary materials for better understanding of the art form, we also hope to spread or awaken the passion for traditional culture that is secluded somewhere in the souls of the young generations.

“Moreover, I also expect stronger companionship from the cultural agencies of the capital so that the Hanoians and tourists could contemplate Hàng Trống folk paintings right on Hàng Trống Street someday,” Hòa said.

The book is published by World Publisher in co-operation with the Hanoi Ceramics Museum. In addition to the paperback version, the book also has 100 limited edition copies for book collectors. There are five copies with leather covers, hand-stitched by artist Nguyễn Đức Khuynh.

One of the most popular and original folk paintings in Việt Nam, Hàng Trống folk paintings are closely associated with the culture of Hà Nội. Their subjects are diverse, ranging from history, worship, decoration and social activities. Therefore, the paintings were popular to all classes in society and hung in various spaces and occasions.

Over time, the folk paintings are only created by the family of artisan Lê Đình Nghiên, facing the risk of falling into oblivion like other traditional art genres. — VNS