PHẠM HẬU (1903-1994), “SUMMER SCENT”

Phạm Hậu, originally from Đông Ngạc village (also known as Vẽ village), Từ Liêm, Hà Nội. He graduated from class 5 of Indochina Fine Arts College (1929-1934) with Nguyễn Văn Lăng, Nguyễn Văn Long, Trần Bình Lộc. He also graduated from Hải Phòng Polytechnic School, and was a founding member of the Indochina Artists’ Cooperative (La coopérative des artistes indochinois). In 1954, he was awarded the medal of Long Bội Tinh and granted the title of Hàn Lâm Trước Tác for his works by King Bảo Đại. In 1927, Principal Victor Tardieu and Professor Joshep Inguimberty introduced traditional lacquer painting into the school’s curriculum. During his time at the school, he, Lê Phổ, Trần Văn Cẩn, Nguyễn Khang and Trần Quang Trân studied lacquer techniques, finding ways to mix them so that they could apply multiple layers of paint on top of each other. This new technique was successful and was used in his works. With lacquer, Phạm Hậu got great achievements and was one of the important figures in researching and developing new lacquer techniques later. In addition to lacquer, he also created works on several other materials such as silk, watercolor, Chinese ink, pastel. Phạm Hậu is known as a lacquer master with subtle paintings depicting large scenes in a modest painting area. His career is largely associated with lacquer. Therefore, works on other materials appear quite rarely. In Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum, the painting “Summer wind”, created in 1940, is one of Phạm Hậu’s most typical works on lacquer.

The painting “Summer scent” in this auction was created by Phạm Hậu in 1948, giving us a lotus image on another of his materials. According to folk beliefs, dragonflies perching on lotus flowers symbolize luck. Lotus flowers, symbolizing the wood element, grow from water – the water element. The dragonfly symbolizes wind – also the water element. Water is compatible with water, water nourishes wood, so the mutual generation of the five elements is very compatible. Not only that, the lotus symbolizes purity and innocence. The dragonfly also means luck, agility and flexibility. Therefore, in addition to Phạm Hậu’s famous name and the beauty of the artistic form, this painting contains a message of luck and goodness. The painting “Summer scent” painted in 1948 is a rare painting. The signature and seal on the surface of the painting are similar to the painting “Portrait of a girl”, pastel on paper, created in 1948. This shows that this is an original work of the artist.

“Summer scent”, in Chinese ink and colored ink on paper, was created by Phạm Hậu in a graceful ink painting style, with bold and light strokes interwoven flexibly. It affirms the standards of academic form, masterful techniques and Phạm Hậu’s talent on materials. Phạm Hậu created “Summer scent” when he was just over 40 years old, at the peak of his artistic career. A year later, the National School of Fine Arts was established by founders Phạm Hậu, Trần Văn Du, Trần Quang Trân on August 12, 1949. Phạm Hậu taught here until his retirement in 1962.

Phạm Hậu (1903-1994)
“Summer scent”, 1948
Ink, colour on paper
Signed and dated in the lower left corner
42 × 62 cm