The exhibition space for "Le Ba Dang Art Collection" has just been officially opened to the public by the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum. This collection aims to offer a unique artistic experience while honouring the cultural and valuable artistic heritage of Vietnam.

Mrs. Thuy Khue looks at Le Ba Dang’s paintings on display at Da Nang Fine Arts Museum. Photo: T.Y.

A homecoming with priceless artworks

We describe the presence of Mr. Le Tat Luyen and Mrs. Thuy Khue (Vietnamese expatriates in France) at the unveiling of the "Le Ba Dang Art Collection" display space at the Da Nang Museum of Fine Arts on the afternoon of November 1 as a special homecoming on a journey to honor the values of Vietnamese fine art.

This couple has preserved numerous rare art collections by renowned Vietnamese artists from the early era of modern Vietnamese art, including works by Le Thi Luu, Mai Trung Thu, Vu Cao Dam, and Le Ba Dang.

Art enthusiasts in Da Nang may recall that in June 2022, from Paris, Mr. Le Tat Luyen and Mrs. Thuy Khue sent an email to Da Nang Fine Arts Museum.

In the letter, they said: “Le Ba Dang is Vietnam’s greatest artist of the 20th century. His works encompass a wide range of fields, themes, and ideas, and he holds a significant place in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Therefore, in addition to bringing the Le Ba Dang collection to the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, we decided to present the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum with more than 40 of the artist’s works. These pieces, beyond their artistic value, also have educational value for art students, because they display not only the artist’s creative techniques but also his ideological path, from the very beginning, in 1960…”.

Recognizing this as an opportunity to enrich the collection of invaluable artworks, Da Nang Fine Arts Museum promptly proposed that Da Nang city government organize a delegation to France to receive the collection.

Truong Nguyen Nguyen Kha, an artist and the head of the Operations Department at Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, and a member of the delegation, recounted the days in France. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Le Tat Luyen and Mrs. Thuy Khue, who facilitated the packing and transporting of Le Ba Dang’s art collection to Da Nang.

“Initially, the couple planned to donate 43 of Le Ba Dang’s paintings to the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum. However, after our discussions and exchanges, they decided to gift the entire collection they held, totalling 253 items. This included 131 artworks, 16 stone reliefs, 19 zinc printing plates, 71 moulds, and 16 crafting tools,” recalled artist Nguyen Kha.

This connection made the presence of Mr. Le Tat Luyen and Mrs. Thuy Khue at the unveiling ceremony even more meaningful. Ha Thanh Van, Director of Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, noted that their gift was not only a collection of artworks but also a trove of memories and stories associated with the artist Le Ba Dang.

“They are individuals who have dedicated themselves to preserving and spreading the spirit of Le Ba Dang, an artist who has left a profound legacy in the hearts of those who love Vietnamese fine arts. Their generosity helps us all better understand the power of art in connecting souls and preserving cultural identity, especially among those far from home,” concluded Mr. Van.

Spreading the artistic value of Le Ba Dang

After receiving and completing scientific documentation for each artifact, Da Nang Fine Arts Museum renovated a part of its third-floor exhibition space to create "Le Ba Dang Art Collection" display. This allows visual art enthusiasts in Da Nang to have opportunities to view 151 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, books, documents, and artistic tools, … These offer a comprehensive glimpse into the life, work, and creative style of artist Le Ba Dang.

The exhibition space is artistically designed to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors. The artworks are arranged thoughtfully, guiding viewers through Le Ba Dang's artistic journey—from his early strokes to the creations that carry his unique signature. Mrs. Thuy Khue believes that the artistic value and humanitarian themes in Le Ba Dang's paintings are stories that deserve further study and promotion. Behind each of his works is a narrative, a stream of emotions, and the reflections of an artist's soul.

According to Mrs. Thuy Khue, the East served as a profound source of inspiration for Le Ba Dang, and this is the place where he seeks differences in painting nuances compared to Western art. She highlighted his “Giao Chi Footprints” series, which set his work apart with a unique cultural identity. This series takes inspiration from the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, centered around footprints that are both visible and invisible, universal yet personal, reflecting the essence of Eastern culture.

Meanwhile, the series "Thien Xanh" and "Co Co Khong Khong" originated from Buddhist culture, where one observes the movement of all things, the law of cause and effect, and the tranquility of the soul. “A unique aspect of Le Ba Dang’s paintings is that his perspective is quite comprehensive,” Mrs. Thuy Khue noted. “He often positions himself as if looking down from above, allowing him to clearly observe and connect various phenomena and objects”.

“This approach creates an artistic space that balances both depth and breadth, enabling viewers to appreciate the beauty of his work and grasp the profound humanistic philosophies he seeks to convey”, Mrs. Thuy Khue concluded.

Reporting by TIEU YEN – Translating by HONG VAN - HOANG SA