Rendered in oil on canvas, the 142 x 120 cm painting reflects the artist’s profound admiration for President Ho Chi Minh — the revered Vietnamese leader who inspired the working class and oppressed peoples across the world in their struggle for national liberation.
The work depicts President Ho Chi Minh with an aura of wisdom, composure, and steadfastness. In preparation for the work, Georg Esco meticulously studied historical texts and archival photographs of President Ho Chi Minh to capture the most striking and distinctive features of his face.
“It is the gaze of a brilliant revolutionary — a man who longed to liberate his country and who, on September 2, 1945, read the Declaration of Independence that gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, ushering in a new era of freedom for the Vietnamese people,” Esco shared emotionally with Nhan Dan Newspaper.
The award honours the universal relevance and global resonance of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and lifestyle. It affirms that these values transcend borders, as exemplified by this French-Romanian artist who has internalised and faithfully expressed the spirit of Ho Chi Minh.
Born on March 11, 1977, Georg Esco (real name Ionita-Radu Georgescu) is a French artist of Romanian origin, hailing from the historic region of Transylvania. He grew up in a Romanian orphanage before moving to Paris in the 1990s.
His artworks, showcased in both solo and group exhibitions, have garnered significant attention from art lovers and critics in France and internationally.
The literary, art and press awards on studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and lifestyle during the second phase of the 2021–2025 period drew the participation of numerous international scholars and artists. The initiative encourages creative works that reflect the legacy of President Ho Chi Minh while promoting cultural exchange between Viet Nam and the global community.
By winning the A prize, Georg Esco contributes to spreading an international message on the enduring relevance of Ho Chi Minh’s ideals, a message that resonates not only with Vietnamese citizens but also with friends around the world.
