Nguy?n T??ng Lân (1906-1946), (Atelier de) Tuong Lan...

Nguy?n T??ng Lân (1906-1946), (Atelier de) Tuong Lan NGUYEN "Hi?n v? hoa - Showing the flowers Ink and colors on silk, mounted on paper Signature in Chinese characters upper left NT LAN" signature and artist's monogram lower right Framed under glass 63 x 34 cm (Later inscription in pen on the back) Provenance: French private collection, the work was acquired in Vietnam by the current owner's grandfather, who worked in the Indochina distilleries in Nam-Dinh between 1920 and 1947. This lot is presented as part of a re-bidding procedure, following partial non-payment by Mr. THU LOAN NGUYEN, collector (Vietnam). Born in 1906, Nguy?n T??ng Lân is an emblematic figure of the first generation of Vietnamese artists who left their mark on the history of modern art. Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine in Hanoi, founded in 1925 under the influence of French painter Victor Tardieu, he belongs to that generation of artists who succeeded in bringing traditional Vietnamese artistic techniques into dialogue with the principles of Western art. Nguy?n Thuông Lan distinguished himself during his studies, finishing second in the school's fourth graduating class, a recognition that testifies to his precocious talent. Following his training, he opened his own studio, where he explored various media, including oil painting, silk painting and lacquer. Cultural exchanges with France played a crucial role in the recognition of his work. His work was exhibited on several occasions, including at events in France such as the Exposition Coloniale de Vincennes in 1931, the Salon d'Outre-Mer at the Grand Palais in Paris in 1935, and the Agindo in Paris in 1932 and 1934. These exhibitions enabled Nguy?n T??ng Lân Lan to make a name for himself beyond Vietnam's borders. Today, he is considered one of the four founding fathers of Vietnamese art, according to the saying: "First Tri [for Nguyen Gia Tri], Second Van [To Ngoc Van], Third Lan [Nguyen Tuong Lan], Fourth Can [Tran Van Can]". The work presented here, depicting a seated woman wearing a white ao dài tunic in front of a raised curtain, was acquired directly in Vietnam by the current owner's grandfather. We can assume that this work was probably produced by the artist himself or under his supervision, in his studio, in order to reproduce an earlier composition. The original version is now housed in the Hanoi Museum of Fine Arts, and is the only work by the artist in the collections. For several reasons, some of the artist's works were reproduced during his lifetime. On the one hand, in response to the painter's growing notoriety - due in particular to his international success - several of his early creations were most likely reproduced on commission during the 1940s. This approach was also intended to ensure the longevity of the works. Produced on silk, a particularly delicate and perishable medium, they were reproduced to ensure their preservation and transmission over time.