In July, our country pays tribute to those who have sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the nation. Lũng Lô Pass in Thượng Bằng La Commune, Văn Chấn District, Yên Bái Province is one of the special historical relics. Although it is only a small point on the map, this place was once a vital strategic supply route during the resistance war against the French, with the sweat and blood of countless Vietnamese people. On this occasion, we remember a talented artist and martyr who died in this land: Artist Tô Ngọc Vân.
Lũng Lô Pass, the last sketch
In April 1954, Điện Biên Phủ campaign entered its crucial phase. Carrying a faded canvas backpack containing paints and paper, along with other artists and soldiers, artist Tô Ngọc Vân entered the nation’s war with the mission for sketches of the battlefield.
LŨNG LÔ PASS, THE LAST SKETCH OF ARTIST TÔ NGỌC VÂN
On June 17, 1954, on the way to the front, when Tô Ngọc Vân was at Lũng Lô Pass, he drew a sketch of the pass’ name. The work depicts the scene of soldiers and frontline workers happily returning after Điện Biên Phủ victory on the morning. And no one could have expected that this would be his last work. Only about two hours after the work was completed, he was hit by a bomb and died on the other side of the pass. The time of his death was when Điện Biên Phủ campaign had just achieved its first victories and less than a month before the Geneva Agreements were signed. His sacrifice at that moment when peace was so close not only left behind endless sorrow but more than that, it was a profound realization of the high price of independence, freedom, and happiness. And his last sketch – Lũng Lô Pass, is not just a work. It is also a testament to a time, like a message from an artist who chose to devote himself to the end in the great resistance war of the nation, sent to future generations.
The great teacher
Artist Tô Ngọc Vân was one of the first people to build the foundation for modern Vietnamese art. He studied in the second class (1926 – 1931) of Indochina Fine Arts College and was one of the artists who achieved in using oil in Vietnamese art.
ARTIST TÔ NGỌC VÂN
In 1945, after August Revolution, artist Tô Ngọc Vân was appointed as Principal of Việt Nam Fine Arts College. In 1946, responding to President Hồ Chí Minh’s national call, Tô Ngọc Vân as well as artists went to the resistance zone to participate in the long-term war. In 1950, after efforts and the resistance situation allowed, Fine Arts College continued to open a class for 21 students. This class was specially named the Resistance Class.
As one of the students of this special class and also a student of Tô Ngọc Vân, when talking about his teacher, Associate Professor, People’s Artist, artist Ngô Mạnh Lân still remembers clearly the story of Mr. Vân and the teachers always trying to ensure the quality of education and life for students. There was a time when Mr. Vân and his family were willing to spend money to support students through difficult years.
“Mr. Tô Ngọc Vân said that the people feed us, clothe us, so we must repay the people through our paintings and our works. With that motto, officers and artists who are officers also work like everyone else and serve the people through their works. We have carried out that,” Associate Professor, People’s Artist, artist Ngô Mạnh Lân shared.
The artist who portrayed President Hồ Chí Minh
Artist Tô Ngọc Vân is also one of the first artists who have made artworks of President Hồ Chí Minh. The story of Tô Ngọc Vân drawing Uncle Hồ in 1946 at Bắc Bộ Phủ is still mentioned as an anecdote among professionals. At that time, the artist was sent by the National Salvation Cultural Association to Bắc Bộ Phủ to draw President Hồ Chí Minh. But because he worked slowly, he was very worried, even losing sleep because drawing Uncle Hồ could not only draw the surface but had to express the great demeanor and soul of the leader.
So he told Uncle Hồ: “Uncle, I cannot work as fast as those journalists. I ask Uncle not for three days but for three weeks to be near you so that I can work.” President Hồ Chí Minh said: “Don’t worry, three months is right, let alone three weeks.” The statement showed Uncle Hồ’s understanding of art and the artist’s work, which deeply moved Tô Ngọc Vân and not long after, he completed the famous work of Uncle Hồ working at Bắc Bộ Phủ.
THE WOODBLOCK PRINT OF THE WORK ‘UNCLE HỒ AT BẮC BỘ PHỦ’ OF ARTIST TÔ NGỌC VÂN
A great artist of the nation
The works of artist Tô Ngọc Vân, whether they are vivid battlefield sketches or famous works of art, are not only talented highlights but also the spirit of a generation. They are proof of a historical stage, helping us better understand the indomitable spirit of the nation. The legacy of Tô Ngọc Vân for Vietnamese fine arts is invaluable, not only because of its pure artistic value but also because of its profound historical and cultural significance.
Artist Tô Ngọc Vân was the first artist and martyr of Việt Nam in the resistance war against France. More than half a century has passed, but that artist and soldier still lives forever in the memories of later generations. He was an artist, a teacher, a pioneer, and an inspiration.
To commemorate him, the class of 1955-1957 of Indochina Fine Arts College was renamed as the class of Tô Ngọc Vân. His works of art are preserved by the State and displayed at Việt Nam Fine Arts Museum. He was awarded the First Class Independence Medal and was one of eight artists to receive Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Arts, Phase I (1996).
With his great contributions to the country’s fine arts, in 1985, a street in Hồ Chí Minh City was named after him and in 1995, a street in Hà Nội was named after him.
PORTRAIT OF ARTIST TÔ NGỌC VÂN, COLOURED PENCIL WORK OF LÊ LAM, ON THE WORK
THERE ARE SIGNATURES OF RESISTANCE CLASS’ STUDENTS
This July, when memories of the glorious past return, the next generation, once again, would like to remember: Artist Tô Ngọc Vân – a teacher, a soldier who devoted his life to art and to the Fatherland.
WRITTEN BY VIET ART VIEW
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