Vietnamese Busts

Bronze sculpture of a Vietnamese bust, circa 1920. Bronze sculpture representing a bust, art of Vietnam, circa 1920. H: 38cm, W: 32cm, D: 24cm

This bust of a Laotian Women is one of the artist most recognizable sculptural works.The distinctive and detailed work is done in a modern style and has an affinity to the best works shown in Europe particularly bronzes done in France and Germany during the first three decades of the 20th century. The artist was born during decade of the 20th century in Long Xuyen, he became one of Vietnam's most prominent arts just before and after the rise of Ho Chi Minh. The work presented here was executed in the late 1930's and was used as a production piece in the artists atelier during the late 40's and early 50's. The work presented is in excellent condition with an all original patina without damage or alteration.Signed with his chop mark on the reverse of the bust this chop was used in his studio while his later production pieces made after the opening of his lacquer company bare the mark on the lacquered block base. Nguyen Thanh's best work is recognized as his lacquer production for the luxury French liner S.S. Normande. His work for the French and his modern European style come not surprisingly from France's colonial possessions in South East Asia and Vietnam in particular. French artists established the E' Cole des Beaux Arts de I. 'Indochine during the very early years of the 20th century. Nguyen Thanh was enrolled in this school and learned draftsmanship, sculpture, painting and traditional oriental lacquer techniques. After an intensive period of travel abroad primarily in Western Europe he returned to teach art and sculpture. One such student Diep Minh Chau became under his influence an important sculptor in his own right during the cultural revolution of Ho Chi Minh. Many major works based on propaganda themes recognized as master works are directly influenced by Nguyen Thanhs technical principles while Thanh himself did not express any direct interest in the revolution that divided and up lifted his country. He maintained his atelier throughout teaching and produced a wide range of work. In the late 1940s he founded Thanh Le...