Painting of King Ham Nghi returning home, exhibited at Hue Imperial City

The exhibition Sky, Mountains, Water will take place for 2 weeks, starting from March 25. This is the second retrospective exhibition, and also the largest exhibition ever held for King Ham Nghi's paintings in Vietnam.

Oil painting "Dawn on the Lake" (circa 1910) by King Ham Nghi.

The event showcased more than 20 works from 10 private collections. The works were repatriated, appraised, preserved and restored by leading experts. Art researcher Ace Le and Dr. Amandine Dabat - the 5th generation descendant of King Ham Nghi - served as co-curators.

Art researcher Ace Le commented that Ham Nghi's paintings are a unique combination of his artistic talent and love for his country, where he expressed his nostalgia for his homeland and also contained a hidden resistance to the oppression during his exile.

The painting "Wheat Field" (1913) is also on display at the exhibition.

According to the organizers, the "return" of Ham Nghi's paintings to Kien Trung Palace ( Hue ) - the former residence of the Nguyen Dynasty royal family, is a tribute from later generations to the patriotic king.

This is also a rare opportunity for the public in Vietnam to admire the beauty of King Ham Nghi's paintings in an exhibition space designed in the relic to meet international museum exhibition standards.

“Landscape with Cypresses (Menthon-Saint-Bernard)” (1906).

Until now, the public knew King Ham Nghi, the person who drafted the Can Vuong edict with the ambition of regaining sovereignty for the nation from the French colonialists.

However, not many people know that he was also one of the first two Vietnamese painters (along with Le Van Mien) to be trained in Western academic methods. Therefore, he can be considered a pioneer in the dawn of modern Vietnamese art .

During his exile, King Ham Nghi revealed his clear talent for painting. He studied and pursued impressionism and post-impressionism.

Before his death, he left behind a huge artistic legacy of 91 paintings and sculptures. Many of his works are known to the art world through auctions and exhibitions in France.

"Algerian Landscape" (1902).

Mr. Hoang Viet Trung - Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center said: "The display and introduction of King Ham Nghi's works helps preserve and promote national cultural identity, helping young generations better understand the history and culture of the country, thereby being more aware of preserving and promoting heritage".

The program is non-commercial (no paintings for sale), open to visitors.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tranh-cua-vua-ham-nghi-hoi-huong-ve-trien-lam-tai-dai-noi-hue-2371573.html