| Vietnamese art and paintings have forever been | | | | representations. Instead of blindly imitating the Chinese |
| influenced by various traditions and cultures. But it's | | | | counterpart, Chanh adopted a simple style merging |
| curious to note that in spite of these multiple influences, | | | | Oriental and occidental techniques. The silk paintings of |
| they have maintained an individual style till date. | | | | Chanh carry a Western approach but carry light and |
| Traditional Vietnamese art, for example, the lacquer | | | | dark patches of the East Asian tradition. The |
| ware and woodblock prints, is famous all over the | | | | interaction of brown, soil yellow and light gray colors on |
| world and the current generation of Vietnamese artists | | | | silk canvas convey a sense of lyrical aestheticism. In |
| is finding out innovative techniques to expand further | | | | 1931, Chanh's silk painting, Game of Squares, was |
| the bounds of Vietnamese art. However, other genres | | | | warmly appreciated at an exhibition. Nguyen Phan |
| of Vietnamese art and painting have gained popularity | | | | Chanh has become one of the leading representatives |
| in recent times. Paintings on silk canvas have been | | | | of the Vietnamese silk paintings. Following the |
| internationally acclaimed, as a result of which they are | | | | footsteps of Chanh, his students created a collection |
| now in great demand among the art lovers of the | | | | of fine silk paintings embodying the Vietnamese soul |
| world. | | | | and tradition. |
| The vogue of silk paintings in Vietnam can be traced | | | | The success of the Vietnamese silk paintings chiefly |
| back to a legend- to the silk paintings of Y Lan, the | | | | rests on their lyricism and underlying serenity. The |
| First Wife of King Ly Thanh Tong (1054-1072). A skilled | | | | quality of the silk is an important factor in bringing out |
| silk weaver, Y Lan built prospering silk shop in the royal | | | | the effectiveness of the painting that is to be |
| court of the capital city, where she spun silk and made | | | | produced. Besides, the techniques of starching and |
| silk garments. Even today, temples throughout Vietnam | | | | weaving also determine the quality of the painting. |
| have been erected in dedication of this "Patron Saint" | | | | Unlike other techniques of painting, traditional |
| of silk. Although this "Lady Silk" never made any | | | | Vietnamese style of silk painting uses the silk canvas |
| transition to silk paintings, that trade flourished in the | | | | directly as the background of the artwork. Soft and |
| aftermath of her establishing the silk weaving industry | | | | delicate colors (especially colors of the sky, water) are |
| in Vietnam. | | | | used to produce a sense of harmonious accord with |
| Silk paintings of Vietnam attained its height of success | | | | nature. Excessive care is taken so as to avoid any |
| between the years 1925-1945. Many historians believe | | | | mistake, for a wrong stroke cannot be corrected; it |
| that paradoxically, this style of painting was pioneered | | | | can only be blended into the final drawing. The |
| by the failure of Nguyen Phan Chanh at Western oil | | | | Vietnamese painters skillfully exploit the sheen and |
| painting. Nguyen Phan Chanh was among the students | | | | attractiveness of the silk canvas to create an exquisite |
| of the first class (1925-1930) of the Eeole Superieure | | | | delicate masterpiece. |
| des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine. Victor Tardieu, a | | | | Right now, Vietnamese silk tradition is basking in the |
| contemporary French artist, realized that Chanh's talent | | | | warmth of popularity. The city of Hue, the royal capital |
| lay not in Western oil painting but in the silk tradition. | | | | of Vietnam, is currently the hub of Vietnamese |
| Advising the latter to study Chinese silk paintings, Victor | | | | paintings on silk. After being internationally acclaimed in |
| Tardieu assisted Chanh to channelize his talents in the | | | | France (1946), Vietnamese style of silk painting has |
| right direction. Taking cue from the Chinese tradition, | | | | imbibed a unique transparency, quite different from the |
| Chanh developed a new style in his rendition of the | | | | traditions of ancient China and Japan. Paintings on silk |
| Vietnamese silk paintings. His paintings express the soul | | | | often narrate poetic themes and thus are responsible |
| of the objects rather than mere surface | | | | in gifting Vietnamese art a unique lyrical flavor. |