The letter reveals something special about the founder of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, Victor Tardieu.

The stories told by Victor Tardieu's grandson about his grandfather - the founder of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, moved listeners and made them grateful to the master who opened a new era for Vietnamese fine arts.

Victor Tardieu and students of the first course of the Indochina College of Fine Arts (from left to right): Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, Georges Khanh, Nguyen Phan Chanh, Cong Van Trung, Le Van De

Ms. Alix Turolla Tardieu - granddaughter of the founder and first Principal of the Indochina University of Fine Arts Victor Tardieu - was present at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum on November 14 to attend the opening of the exhibition 100 years of modern fine arts - collection of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and to present the first Victor Tardieu Award.

At the ceremony, Mrs. Alix's story about her grandfather Victor Tardieu moved those interested in Vietnamese fine arts, especially artists, about the French master's efforts to open the Indochina Fine Arts School and teach Vietnamese students with the love of a father.

Alix's story about her grandfather Victor Tardieu truly moved those interested in Vietnamese fine arts, especially artists - Photo: T.DIEU

Victor Tardieu - The French teacher against the French

As a young man, Victor was an excellent student at the School of Fine Arts in France, in the class of the painter Léon Bonnat. It was there that he understood the importance of a systematic training system, the only factor that can help young talents develop and become professional artists, able to make a living from art, said Alix.

Victor Tardieu arrived in Hanoi in 1921, battered by four horrific years of World War I. He was disoriented and struggling to find meaning in life.

Not long after, he met some young Vietnamese men, including Nam Son - a young teacher and painter, who later became his first student.

"The conversations between them were rich and profound. The relationship between teacher and student soon became a sacred father-son relationship, lasting forever," said Ms. Alix.

Ms. Alix Turolla Tardieu came to Vietnam with her son to attend activities celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Indochina College of Fine Arts - Vietnam University of Fine Arts - Photo: T.DIEU

Also from the conversations with Nam Son, in Victor's mind arose the idea of ​​supporting and assisting talented young Vietnamese artists with a formal art education , as he himself had received in his childhood.

He embarked on the project of establishing the Indochina College of Fine Arts with countless difficulties from the French.

The archives in Aix-en-Provence (France) clearly show the difficulties he faced: jealousy, countless obstacles and sometimes cruelty from his own countrymen.

He responded strongly, refuting each argument against his school project.

As a result, the decree establishing the Indochina School of Fine Arts was signed by the Governor General of Indochina on October 27, 1924; and Victor, the founder, was appointed Principal on November 24 of the same year.

Ms. Alix said that a few years ago, she decided to donate her family's archives to the French National Institute of Art History (INHA).

Among them are many reports signed by Victor Tardieu and sent to the government, documents demonstrating his determination and prestige, and a series of letters from close students, the closest of which was still Nam Son.

"Workers at the docks" (oil on canvas, 1902-1904), a work by artist Victor Tardieu at the 100th anniversary of modern art exhibition - Photo: T.DIEU

Victor Tardieu - the great "father" of Vietnamese painters

Alix chose to end her talk about her grandfather with a touching letter that Mr. Nam Son sent to her father right after her grandfather passed away. The letter revealed that Mr. Victor Tardieu cared for his Vietnamese students until his last breath. Even when he was seriously ill, he still "asked" to go to class to teach his students and grade their papers.

"I cry with you, Jean (son of Victor Tardieu), for a wonderful father - because he loved all his students like his own; for a great teacher - who taught us with kindness and patience that no one can replace;

A master (maitre) in the ancient sense of the word in the artist guilds, who has dedicated the best part of himself, bringing the wisdom and knowledge accumulated over many years of experience to the children of Annam; a teacher who regards his work as a sacred mission…”.

Nam Son's letter moved all attendees about the teacher who had great merit for Vietnamese painting.

The 100-year modern art exhibition is a precious opportunity to look back at 100 years of Vietnamese fine arts - Photo: T.DIEU

The exhibition 100 years of modern art - collection of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is a precious opportunity for art lovers to see a panoramic, though incomplete, picture of Vietnamese fine art from the Indochina University of Fine Arts over the past 100 years.

Among them are works by masters and famous painters such as Victor Tardieu, Mai Thu, Nguyen Phan Chanh, To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can, Nguyen Sang, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, Bui Xuan Phai... and a series of talented successors.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said the exhibition is a vivid demonstration of the school's 100-year journey of formation and development.

This is not only the pride of Vietnam University of Fine Arts, but also a precious cultural asset of the nation.

Back to topic

BIRD OF PARADISE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/buc-thu-tiet-lo-dieu-dac-biet-ve-nguoi-sang-lap-truong-my-thuat-dong-duong-victor-tardieu-20251114205331436.htm