Artworks by celebrated Vietnamese painters to be auctioned

The painters include Nguyen Gia Tri, Nguyen Tuong Lan, To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, Duong Bich Lien, Nguyen Sang and Bui Xuan Phai, who form the two legendary quartets of Vietnamese painting.

They are all past students of the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine in its formative years.

A painting by Bui Xuan Phai to be put up for auction

According to Chon, the auction, the fifth session to be held by the auction house, is an opportunity for art lovers to appreciate the paintings, as well as pay tribute to the master painters of Vietnam.

Prior to the auction, the 12 paintings will be on exhibition from July 21 to 29.

Currently Vietnam’s art trade market is relatively subdued due to a lack of auction houses.

Previously, painters or owners of valuable paintings were largely used to the usual way of depositing their works at galleries and exhibitions, with fixed listed prices. If the transactions were successful, the painters or owners had to pay a part of the sold assets.

Meanwhile charity auctions do not reflect the true value of the works.

Many painters say that if commercial auctions are held more frequently, it will help to open a new channel for selling and buying artworks publicly, limit tax losses to the State budget and promote the production activity of domestic artists.

It is also expected to give art lovers and collectors further opportunities to own artworks with clear origins that are protected by law.