Mai Trung Thứ, “En plein air”, circa 1945
Ink and colour on silk, signed lower left, titled on the back
73 × 53,8 cm (lô 12)
Painted in the early 1940s, the work shows the beauty of young women. One of them is intently reading a book, the other is immersed in thought. The two girls wearing traditional áo dài, which helped highlight their soft curves and slim figures. With delicately tied hair and red lips, the girls look graceful and elegant. The oval face is typical of the artist’s style during this period, emphasizing Vietnamese beauty.
Accessories used in the composition of the painting also contribute to highlighting Vietnamese features. Indeed, the pillow used by one of the two young women and the small wooden box are typical Asian objects. If Eastern influences permeate the works, Western art historical treasures are also present here.
Although he is an artist specializing in drawing illustrations for Vietnamese fashion magazines, the outfits of the young women he depicted still have soft folds in the style of Greek sculpture. Often associated with images of scarves, this technique is used to depict movement in the work. Body movements, especially twisted postures, are also shown, echoing the Italian style of the 16th century.
Finally, the construction and balance of the composition are also reminiscent of the previous masters of Eastern painting. Loyal to one of his favorite themes, Mai Trung Thứ has proven that, in addition to technical virtuosity, he also knew how to skillfully combine different artistic styles and trends, while bringing an ideal vision for Vietnamese culture.
ASIAN PAINTERS
MODERN ART OF VIỆT NAM
Auction on March 7, 2024
Contact: reynier@aguttes.com
Source: Aguttes
