Left: Thang Trần Phềnh, “The village chief reading for the villagers”, Ink and colour on silk, signed Trần Bình and noted upper right, 75 × 51,5 cm
Right: Thang Trần Phềnh, “The village chief on horse back asking for direction”, Ink and colour on silk, signed Trần Bình and described lower right, 75 × 51,5 cm
In the early 1890s, Mr. X.’s family came to Indochina, lived in Hanoi city. Perhaps it was during a visit to an exhibition organized by the Fine Arts College in 1929, or at one of the fairs attended by the students of painter Thang Tran Phenh, the family purchased two paintings by the artist in the frames crafted by artist Gadin. Through transfers, the two paintings are still passed down to the next generation and preserved in the family until today.
Thang Tran Phenh (1895-1973), also known as Tran Van Binh (additional name Dat Sieu), was a Vietnamese artist. His father is of Chinese descent and his mother is Vietnamese, from a young age he received a traditional education, following the principles of Confucianism.
In 1931, he participated in the Paris Colonial Exhibition with a work titled “Playing cards”. The following year, his works were displayed at three consecutive exhibitions organized by Agindo (Indochina Economic Department) in Paris. In 1932, he received a diploma from the Fine Arts College in Hanoi, at the same time as artists Vu Cao Dam and To Ngoc Van (the first Vietnamese to be appointed principal of the Indochina Fine Arts School, after Victor Tardieu and Evariste Jonchère).
Thang Tran Phenh then turned his activities to the field of theater arts, establishing the Dong Au Fine Arts Theater Group and devoting all efforts to promoting the value of stage scene decoration, costume and properties.
On stage as well as in painting, Thang Tran Phenh wholeheartedly conveyed memories of his homeland, history and culture. His works, rare and mainly revolving around traditional Vietnamese countryside, are considered a true testament to history.
ASIAN PAINTERS
CHINA, VIETNAM
The 43rd auction: May 22, 2024
Contact: reynier@aguttes.com
Source: Aguttes
