Lot Essay
1925 to 1945 is often considered as the first epoch of the existence of Vietnamese painting with the establishment of the Academy of the Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine in 28th October 1925. And the first people that nurtured, developed, guided and encouraged this artform are none other than the Institute's director and teacher who were two Frenchmen - Victor Tardieu and Joseph Inguimberty.
Inguimberty was born in Marseille in 1896. In 1913 he was admitted to the Ecole de Beaux Arts of his native city and the following year the National School of Decorative Arts which was then directed by Eugene Morand. Thanks to the several scholarships awarded to him which included the National Prize of 1924, Inguimberty was able to travel widely in Europe which eventually developed in him an ardent desire to go and live and paint in a faraway country. That is why in 1925, he agreed to be a teacher with the Ecole de Beaux Arts de l'Indochine. As a painter, Inguimberty was inclined to work in the open air with a composition consistent with natural logics, moving images and the ever changing light. Poetic realism being the prevalent artistic trend in France of the 1930s, was undoubtedly imparted to the Vietnamese students by their French teachers. The content of the poetic realism in Vietnam as seen by both Inguimberty and Tardieu was the natural beauty both in terms of the landscape and the life-style of the Vietnamese. Such sentiments are pronounced in the works of Inguimberty with each vigorous brushstroke celebrating the beauty of an oriental people and culture.
To Ngoc Van, Nguyen Gia Tri, Tran Van Can and Luu Van Sin are strongly influenced by Inguimberty. These artists displayed a strong liking for painting in the open air or in front of models in natural light and colours.
Inguimberty remained in the Ecole de Beaux Arts till its closure in 1945 and died in Menton in 1971.
Inguimberty was born in Marseille in 1896. In 1913 he was admitted to the Ecole de Beaux Arts of his native city and the following year the National School of Decorative Arts which was then directed by Eugene Morand. Thanks to the several scholarships awarded to him which included the National Prize of 1924, Inguimberty was able to travel widely in Europe which eventually developed in him an ardent desire to go and live and paint in a faraway country. That is why in 1925, he agreed to be a teacher with the Ecole de Beaux Arts de l'Indochine. As a painter, Inguimberty was inclined to work in the open air with a composition consistent with natural logics, moving images and the ever changing light. Poetic realism being the prevalent artistic trend in France of the 1930s, was undoubtedly imparted to the Vietnamese students by their French teachers. The content of the poetic realism in Vietnam as seen by both Inguimberty and Tardieu was the natural beauty both in terms of the landscape and the life-style of the Vietnamese. Such sentiments are pronounced in the works of Inguimberty with each vigorous brushstroke celebrating the beauty of an oriental people and culture.
To Ngoc Van, Nguyen Gia Tri, Tran Van Can and Luu Van Sin are strongly influenced by Inguimberty. These artists displayed a strong liking for painting in the open air or in front of models in natural light and colours.
Inguimberty remained in the Ecole de Beaux Arts till its closure in 1945 and died in Menton in 1971.