Special Exhibition Honoring Painter and Martyr To Ngoc Van at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum

On December 18, 2025, the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum hosted the opening of a special exhibition dedicated to painter and martyr To Ngoc Van (1906–1954).
The museum is located at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

This event is part of the activities celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Indochina College of Fine Arts (1925–2025). The school is considered the birthplace of modern Vietnamese art.

This is the first exhibition entirely focused on To Ngoc Van. It offers the public a rare and in-depth look at his life and artistic career. He was a leading figure in Vietnamese modern and revolutionary art. He was also the first principal of the Vietnam College of Fine Arts.

A Collection of 26 Representative Artworks

The exhibition presents 26 selected artworks from the museum’s collection. These works represent different stages of To Ngoc Van’s artistic journey.

The artworks include oil paintings, lacquer works, silk paintings, watercolors, ink, and pencil drawings. This diversity highlights his versatility and technical skill.

The collection clearly shows a major change in his artistic thinking after 1945. His early works reflect a romantic and aesthetic focus. Later works emphasize art for society and the people. They are closely connected to national resistance and daily life.

Personal Artifacts and Exhibition Space

In addition to paintings, the exhibition displays rare personal artifacts kept by the artist’s family. These items help visitors better understand his life and values.

The exhibition space was carefully designed by the museum. According to museum representatives, this idea had been planned for many years. The goal was to honor major artists in Vietnamese fine arts history.

Preserving a National Artistic Legacy

The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum currently preserves 45 works by To Ngoc Van. One of them is the famous painting “Two Young Women and a Child” (1944). This artwork has been recognized as a National Treasure.

By showcasing 26 works, the exhibition offers a clear and structured overview of his artistic development. Visitors can better understand his contributions to modern Vietnamese art.

The Artist and the Soldier

To Ngoc Van was not only an artist and educator. He was also a revolutionary soldier. He died in 1954 during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

At the time of his death, he was traveling to the battlefield. His mission was to sketch and document the war. His final works are both artistic and historical. They capture the spirit of Vietnam during the resistance years.

A Meaningful Exhibition Today

This special exhibition allows the public and researchers to reflect on an extraordinary creative life. It tells the story of a painter who became a soldier. His legacy continues to inspire generations.

To Ngoc Van remains a powerful symbol of an artist whose work is deeply connected to the fate of his nation.

images: collected

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