LAQUE SUR PANNEAU

Pham Hau (1903-1994) lived a singular life that marked his artistic project. He was born in 1903 in Dong Ngac, a beautiful village near Hanoi. Orphaned from both parents at a very young age, he worked at the Hanoi railway station as a reception clerk and then as a train driver... During this time, the artistic Hanoi was in turmoil: the Indochina School of Fine Arts was created on October 27, 1924, and the first admission competition was organized in 1925 throughout Indochina. Advised and trained by Nam Son, Pham Hau was accepted in 1929 in the 5th promotion with, notably, Tran Binh Loc and Nguyen Do Cung. Moreover, in this year 1929, Victor Tardieu has received approval for the participation of "his" school in the Colonial Exhibition planned in Paris for 1931 and Pham Hau is immediately admitted. After graduating in 1934, he returned to his native village where he opened a workshop and hired help. Success was immediate. The awards obtained at the SADEAI in 1935 (Gold Medal) and 1936 (first mention) established him for good. Orders poured in and collectors were won over. Pham Hau sells and shines. He exhibited with Nguyen Gia Tri in Hanoi in 1944 and was decorated by Emperor Bao Dai. After a short interlude in Phu To, in 1947, he settled in Hanoi. In 1949, with Tran Van Du and Yran Quang Trang, he founded the National School of Crafts. Sharing knowledge, his credo. Artistically, it certifies a rare pictorial talent and Technically, it testifies to the quality of the work of a great master. See an exceptional group of 5 lacquer works of art by Pham Hau from a French private collection sold at Christie’s Paris, 14 June 2023, lots 1-5.