This is the first time a French museum has collected such a large number of works by one of the leading painters of Vietnam’s contemporary art. The exhibition will run until the end of October.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the event, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, expressed her gratitude to the French city for holding the exhibition and bringing the quintessence of the painter's work to art lovers.
She added that activities introducing the Vietnamese culture in Mâcon reflect the dynamic and practical cooperation of the Vietnam-France strategic partnership, she said, adding that the 12th Vietnam-France decentralised cooperation conference will be held in Vietnam next year.
Mai Lan Phuong, the only daughter of the late painter, also attended the ceremony.
Earlier in June, the Ursulines museum inaugurated a space displaying the copies of more than 30 artworks by Thu at Lyon station in Paris, an important transport hub of the French capital city.
Until September, Mâcon city is to host dozens of major events promoting Vietnamese culture, including a concert and those that introduce Vietnam’s folk music, cuisine and calligraphy.
Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980) was considered as one of the four most renowned Vietnamese artists based in France. He was one of the graduates of the first course of the Fine Arts College of Indochina, or Ecole des Beaux-Art de l'Indochine, in Hanoi. He joined the French army in 1940. After leaving the army one year later, he decided to settle in Mâcon.
His reputation was closely associated with silk paintings on the subjects of women, children and everyday life, showcasing typical Asian culture in the early 20th century.
Source: VNA