Unique document of Vietnamese art in the French colonial time released

Chủ Nhật, 19/02/2017, 14:03

PSNews - Henri Gourdon (1876 - 1943), author of "The Art of Annam" had profound knowledge of Indochina and significantly contributed to promoting the education reform programme of France in Indochina.

Nha Nam Publishing House has just launched “The Art of Annam (old name of Vietnam)” written by Henri Gourdon. This book is also considered part of the Vietnamese art archives in the eye of a French in the French colonial domination.

Henri Gourdon (1876 - 1943), author of "The Art of Annam" had profound knowledge of Indochina and significantly contributed to promoting the education reform programme of France in Indochina.

He is also the author of the book "Indochina", which was published by Larousse Publishing House in 1931.

“The Art of Annam” was first published by Boccard in 1933. Based on relevant references and his own practical experiences, Henri Gourdon provided readers with a comprehensive insight into the origins and trends of the Vietnamese art in the Annam period (Annam was the name of Viet Nam before 1945).

This book is organized into 5 sections, featuring social and ethnic characteristics, general history and the arts of architecture, sculpture and painting, handicrafts. In addition, "The Art of Annam" contains 16 important documentary photos, illustrating art achievements of Annam.

On this occasion, Nha Nam Publishing House in collaboration with the French cultural center in Ha Noi will organize a discussion about the traditional art of Vietnam under the French colonial period on February 21st at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi.

Translator Truong Quoc Toan, painter Bui Hoai Mai and literary critic Mai Anh Tuan will join the discussion.

By Linh Bui