The essence of Hue in the paintings

HNN - The moss-covered, ancient relics of temples, tombs, and pagodas, as well as the beautiful scenery that nature has bestowed upon the ancient capital, have created an "urban poem." And that "poem," when viewed through the lens of talented artists, has contributed to enhancing the magnificent beauty of Hue.

The painting "Lễ Truyền Lô" (The Ceremony of Passing on the Throne) by the late artist Đỗ Kỳ Hoàng, using lacquer, recreates a royal court ceremony.

"Court painter"

Although he painted with various materials, when mentioning the paintings of the late artist Ton That Dao (1910 - 1979), art lovers will immediately remember the themes of Hue in the artistic career of this renowned painter who was the first principal of the Hue College of Fine Arts. Today, in the late artist's house on Mac Dinh Chi Street (Phu Xuan Ward), his descendants still preserve dozens of works in various materials. Among them, there are many works painted quite early and typical of Ton That Dao's painting in the 1940s and 1950s.

Among these works, it's easy to spot paintings depicting the heritage and landscapes of Hue, in various sizes, that, despite the passage of decades, still evoke strong emotions in those who see them. In these paintings, the stunning landmarks of Hue's heritage are revealed, such as: the courtyard of Tu Duc Mausoleum (1939), the landscape of Minh Mang Mausoleum (1940), the Hue Imperial City (1940), the water pavilion of Tu Duc Mausoleum (1942)...

The landscapes and heritage remain, but when viewed, it's as if the viewer is traveling back in time with its elegant and poetic colors. Moreover, hidden within each artwork, the artist, a graduate of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, subtly conveys a message about preserving the cultural values ​​of his ancestors for future generations.

According to Mr. Phan Thanh Quang, a lecturer at the University of Arts (Hue University) and also the son-in-law of the late painter Ton That Dao, Mr. Dao once taught painting in the palace during the reign of Emperor Bao Dai. It was during this period that he had the opportunity to see magnificent and opulent architectural works that not every artist was fortunate enough to encounter. With his innate talent, his paintings of the Hue imperial court were born from this experience, earning him the nickname "The Imperial Court Painter." "In his landscape paintings, one can clearly see his affection for Hue, the misty scenes at sunset blending with the surrounding space, encompassing ancient details, along with the plants and flowers of the imperial city. The essence of Hue is deeply ingrained, expressed through the brushstrokes and colors, the ancient frangipani trees of Hue in the paintings…," Mr. Quang shared.

A glimpse of the Hue Imperial Palace through the brushstrokes of the late renowned artist Ton That Dao.

Heritage within heritage

Not only Ton That Dao, but many later Hue painters also pursued themes of Hue's culture and heritage, leaving behind many works that made their names. Many of them are the late painters Ton That Van and Do Ky Hoang, whose paintings are now in the collection of the Hue Fine Arts Museum.

Previously exhibited, the large oil painting depicting the tomb of Emperor Tự Đức has left many in awe and admiration. Most recently, this work, described as "heritage within heritage," was displayed during the 7th anniversary celebration of the Huế Fine Arts Museum at the end of November 2025. With masterful brushstrokes, the late artist from the Tôn Thất lineage conveyed the graceful and delicate beauty of the áo dài (traditional Vietnamese dress) against the backdrop of the ancient tomb of the fourth emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty, with distant, poetic and ancient architectural structures such as Xung Khiêm Tạ and Dũ Khiêm Tạ, along with rolling hills, ancient trees, and pine forests…

Heritage and history lovers will also be captivated by the lacquer painting "The Ceremony of Honoring Doctors" by the late artist Do Ky Hoang, donated to the Hue Museum of Fine Arts in 2023 by the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center. The painting, composed of four panels, recreates the ceremony honoring doctoral graduates of the Nguyen Dynasty, taking place right in front of the Ngo Mon Gate, a truly solemn setting. It's like a historical story encapsulated in a work of art. Viewing the painting not only reveals the artist's talent but also provides a deeper understanding of a historical period and the court ceremonies of the Nguyen Dynasty, which are now being recreated on occasion.

Having encountered many works by renowned senior artists depicting Hue, Dr. Nguyen Thien Duc, Chairman of the Hue City Fine Arts Association, expressed his deep emotion, saying that he felt fortunate to stand before these "heritage within heritage" - artworks depicting heritage that have now become heritage itself.

“The senior artists were renowned masters who left behind for posterity works depicting Hue with their artistic sensibilities and extraordinary creative abilities. These works are invaluable because they faithfully record a specific historical period,” the head of the Hue City Fine Arts Association remarked, acknowledging that these works serve as “witnesses” that not only inspire love and understanding of the artists but also deepen the connection with Hue.

“Among the dozens of works collected by the Museum, there are many works on the theme of Hue by renowned artists. Besides their artistic value, each work also shows cultural and historical value and significance. This also proves that painting contributes to helping viewers better understand the culture and history of the Hue region,” affirmed Ms. Dinh Thi Hoai Trai, Director of the Hue Fine Arts Museum.

PHAN THANH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/chat-hue-trong-tranh-161232.html