A silk painting titled “Tonkinoise à l’éventail” (Tonkin girl with a fan) by Nguyen Nam Son (1890-1973), one of the leading artists in modern Vietnamese fine art, will be auctioned in Paris.

Vietnamese painting to be sold at auction in Paris

The auction will be held by the Aguttes company at the Drouot auction centre in Paris, France, on October 22.

The painting shows a young girl sitting on a divan with a paper fan in her right hand. The girl is crouching, with her left foot flat on the ground, and her right foot bent under. She is wearing a green traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai and white trousers. Her face is imbued with sweetness and a subtle, elegant beauty. Her long hair is wound around her head like a crown.

"Tonkinoise à l’éventail” depicts a peaceful atmosphere that highlights the model’s tender beauty. Her lips seem on the point of smiling, and she seems blissfully happy.

The artwork on silk, measuring 43 x 61.5 cm, was painted in 1935-1936, according to the artist’ family. Silk was one of Nguyen Nam Son’s favorite materials.

The painting was bought by French battalion commander Mallet, who was posted to Hanoi between 1936 and 1938. He has kept it at his home in France.

It is auctioned at the starting price from EUR 50,000-80,000.

Painter Nguyen Nam Son whose real name is Nguyen Van Tho was born in Hanoi. He was one of the first Vietnamese contemporary artists. He was a co-founder of the Indochine Fine Arts College with French professor Victor Tardieu. Nam Son worked as a lecturer for the Indochina Fine Arts College since its opening to 1945, closing the 20 years of operation of the college.

Another his painting titled “Peasants of Tonkin" was sold at EUR 205,000 at an auction which was also held by the Aguttes company in Paris last March.

SGGP