Mai Trung Thứ (1906-1980), a famous Vietnamese painter, was born in 1906 in Ro Nha, northern Việt Nam. He was the son of an influential intellectual family. His father, the governor of Bắc Ninh, was honored with the title of Count by the French colonial government. Mai Trung Thứ entered the first class of Indochina Fine Arts College in 1925, where he studied until 1930. After graduating, he held the position of art teacher at the French Lycée in Huế during the 1930s, before going to France in 1937 to participate in the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts. This trip marked a decisive turning point: Mai Trung Thứ decided to settle in Paris, where he had a rich artistic career and exhibited at prestigious salons such as the Salon des Indépendants and the Salon d’Automne, and participated in art activities in many major European cities.
Although he was related to other prominent figures of his generation such as Lê Phổ (1907-2001) and Vũ Cao Đàm (1908-2007), Mai Trung Thứ, commonly known as Mai Thứ, developed a unique style. His work is characterized by the subtle use of color on silk, with a particular focus on depicting women and children in everyday scenes. A master of Western techniques and perspective, Mai Trung Thứ moved towards a style that is marked by simplicity. While retaining a strong Vietnamese identity, his works are notable for their ability to capture intimate and contemplative moments. The characters are often set against an almost monochromatic background, drawing the viewer’s gaze to the main subject with profound precision.
MAI TRUNG THỨ (1906-1980)
“Admiring”, 1956
Ink and colour on silk
Signed, sealed and dated in lower right corner
20 × 18 cm
Provenance: Purchased in the 1950s on the Paris art market by Jean Widhoff, a lieutenant in the French army and businessman; passed down through the generations.
For more information, please contact:
