Hanoi in miniature in the unique picture book of artist Ngoc Linh

On the morning of October 5 in Hanoi , artist Ngoc Linh organized a launch of the book series "Hanoi I Love" to readers and those who love painting and the capital.

The picture book Hanoi My Love brings readers an impressive "miniature pocket Hanoi" with a collection of nearly 140 miniature paintings of the capital's landscapes and streets drawn in 1991.

144-page picture book comes with a slipcase and a set of 16 hand-picked postcards.

In particular, the miniatures were painstakingly painted by artist Ngoc Linh using oil paint on the tiny surface of the silk-printed lottery tickets left over at the end of the day, capturing the artist's inspiration and feelings for a fresh Hanoi that has transformed after a long period of war and poverty - a modern, vibrant Hanoi that still retains its ancient, poetic features.

The original miniatures were created in 1991.

The works are printed in two sizes: 7x10cm and 10x14cm (2 sheets combined), artist Ngoc Linh bound them into a small sketchbook that fits in the palm of the hand. Although drawn directly on a small scale, the old Hanoi landscape still retains its poetic and clear details thanks to the strong and skillful brushwork of the veteran artist.

With a mini bike and a cute drawing set, he roamed the streets and drew many familiar corners of Hanoi.

Veteran painter Ngoc Linh.

Explaining the choice of print size, the book cover designer, the author's granddaughter - Ms. Vi Huyen Linh said:

“When making this book, with the wish of artist Ngoc Linh so that everyone can easily carry their love for Hanoi with them, no matter where they are, my family and I printed the book with the actual size of those beautiful little paintings.”

Artist Ngoc Linh's niece shares the book compilation process.

In addition, the book making process involved the author's grandson - who asked for the last lottery tickets of the day for artist Ngoc Linh to make into a sketchbook, so Hanoi I Love was named a grandfather-grandson book series.

Artist Trinh Lu (right) at the book launch.

Writing the introduction to the book, artist Trinh Lu said that the miniatures are the most representative of the nature of what he calls “contemporary folklore”. “Hanoi already has ‘Pho Phai’ – swaying like mysterious verses of poetry. Hanoi now has ‘Pho Linh’ – bouncy like nursery rhymes”, artist Trinh Lu humorously said about his long-time friend.

In the spirit of “a pocket Hanoi” conveyed by the author, this small picture book will accompany readers on every journey with a passionate love for Hanoi.

Painter, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Linh (also known as Vi Van Bich) was born in 1930 in Ban Chu, Loc Binh district, Lang Son province, a Tay ethnic. He is a designer at the Vietnam Feature Film Studio, a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, a member of the Hanoi Fine Arts Association, a member of the Vietnam Cinema Association... Painter Ngoc Linh attended the Resistance Fine Arts course (1950 - 1954) trained by famous painters To Ngoc Van and Tran Van Can in the Viet Bac resistance zone. This was also the first course marking the return to order of the Vietnam Fine Arts School, with famous painter To Ngoc Van as Principal and direct instructor.

Photo: Phu Hung, Huyen Linh