This is a rare painting on the theme of orchid by artist Nguyễn Văn Tỵ (1917-1992), created 56 years ago on the occasion of the spring of Kỷ Dậu 1969 [Year of Rooster].
The painting is dated February 12, 1969; the lunar date is day of 26, month of 12th, 1968 Mậu Thân [Year of Monkey].
Artist Nguyễn Văn Tỵ graduated from Class 11 (1936-1941) of Indochina Fine Arts College. Before 1945, he created paintings on lacquer, oil, silk… and left a special mark with the theme of landscapes of Thác Bờ, Hạ Long…
After 1945, the works of artist Nguyễn Văn Tỵ were closely associated with the history of national war through two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism and the theme of labor and production in the country’s renovation process. Spanning nearly half a century, he left behind extremely outstanding achievements with themes such as ‘Thatched roof and jackfruit’ – Lacquer (67 × 105), 1958; ‘Bắc Sơn Guerrilla’ – Lacquer (86 × 121), 1958; ‘Sail of Cửa Hàn, fishing net of Cửa Hội’ – Lacquer (100 × 180), 1960; ‘South and North of a home’ – Lacquer (86 × 566), 1961.
As an artist with a lot of practical experience and opportunities to create diverse works but Nguyễn Văn Tỵ spent most of his time sketching and creating works with historical, revolutionary, and national subjects. The subjects such as still life he created were quite few and rare. And if he did create, those images were often associated with everyday things around him.
Ms. Nguyễn Bình Minh, daughter of artist Nguyễn Văn Tỵ, said that her father had a Đai Châu [foxtail] orchid that he loved so much. He brought this orchid back after a field trip to the mountains. He planted it on the balcony of the stairs just over 1m², which was the place where the whole family passed by every day. He loved the orchid very much and took meticulous care of it every day. Sometimes when he was away on business, he would ask his children to spray it with water, he gave careful instructions.
On the occasion of the Spring of Ất Tỵ [Year of Snake] 2025, Viet Art View introduces to art lovers his painting “Orchid greeting new year” (watercolor on paper) created 56 years ago. After times of separation and grafting, the real orchid is still on the balcony of his house in Yết Kiêu. This is a rare work of orchid by artist Nguyễn Văn Tỵ. The pink-purple orchid with lush green leaves is like a rustic, sincere New Year greeting, fresh with the breath of spring.
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