Photographer Tran Van Luu (1917-2003) was from Nam Dinh, now Ninh Binh province. Before establishing himself as "The figure who recorded the history of resistance arts and culture," in 1942, he and photographers Vu Nang An and Nguyen Hong Nghi held an exhibition of landscape and portrait photographs at his photo studio in Hanoi . A significant milestone in Tran Van Luu's career was the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh that his studio took after National Day on September 2, 1945. This portrait was chosen as the official portrait of President Ho Chi Minh to be published for the nation. The photograph circulated throughout the years of the resistance war and was used by President Ho Chi Minh as a gift to international friends and those who had contributed to the nation.
In July 1948, the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts was established. From its inception, the Association brought together leading writers and artists of the country such as To Huu, Nguyen Dinh Thi, Nguyen Huy Tuong, Nguyen Hong, To Hoai, Nam Cao, Nguyen Tuan, Ngo Tat To, Xuan Dieu, The Lu, Nguyen Xuan Khoat, and Van Cao… Not only did it leave behind many valuable works that are still relevant today, but at that time, the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts became an important part of the nation's resistance war against the French. Documents about events related to the Association are scarce, especially photographic materials. Therefore, the photo book "Literature, Arts and the Resistance" by photographer Tran Van Luu can be considered a valuable legacy not only in the field of photography but also in the field of literature and art in general. The book brings together his artistic photographs and important documents about the faces of resistance writers and artists, as well as the literary and artistic life during the years of the resistance war against the French.
For a long time, many photographs from the legacy of photographer Tran Van Luu have appeared in books and newspapers, such as: the photo of seven artists and writers posing in front of the Association of Arts and Literature headquarters in Choi hamlet ( Thai Nguyen ); the photo of artists and writers saying goodbye before heading to the front lines; the photo of playwright The Lu applying makeup before a performance; musician Van Cao with his guitar; writer Nguyen Tuan smoking a pipe... These photos have been widely circulated, but for various reasons, not everyone knew they were his. Now, the photo book "Art and Literature and the Resistance" has helped future generations understand more about the life and career of photographer Tran Van Luu.
The photo book concludes with an appendix containing documents about Tran Van Luu after peace was restored, aiming to help readers better understand a photographer who made significant contributions to history. In addition, there are several portraits taken by his son, Tran Chinh Nghia, of later artists and writers such as painter Bui Xuan Phai, musician Van Cao, writer Nguyen Tuan, poet Vu Dinh Lien, and writer Phung Quan… This represents a continuation by the younger generation with a shared passion for photography.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khac-ghi-lich-su-van-nghe-khang-chien-post811923.html
