The exhibition entitled “Mai Thu – Écho d’un Vietnam rêvé” (Echo of A Dreamed Vietnam) officially opened on July 7. This is the first time a museum in France has gathered a large number of paintings by one of the masters of contemporary Vietnamese painting.
It is divided into three parts: Thu’s youth in Vietnam from 1906-1937, his stay in Macon from 1940-1942 when his style underwent a radical change, and his career as a painter in France from 1938-1980.
Most of the artworks, comprising oil on canvas, paintings on silk, drawings, photographs, and lithographs, have never been shown to the public before.
Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980) was classified as one of the four most renowned Vietnamese artists based in France, as he was one of the first who graduated from the first course of the Fine Arts College of Indochina, or Ecole des Beaux-Art de l'Indochine, in Hanoi.
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.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, expressed her appreciation that Mâcon city has "not only inspired the talent of the late painter Mai Thu to shine, but also brought the quintessence of Eurasian art to the art-loving public".
Earlier, 30 copies of painter Mai Trung Thu's works were showcased at Lyon station in Paris, France. The station is an important transport hub of the capital, serving as the main gateway to Macon city and Bourgogne-France-Comte, famous for the best wines in France.
Beside, Mâcon city has also organised dozens of major events promoting Vietnamese culture, including a concert and other events that introduce Vietnam’s calligraphy and cuisine, to take place from now to September.
