Vietnam Fine Arts Museum receives ancient paintings of San Diu ethnic group

(CLO) Two rare ancient paintings of the San Diu ethnic group, "Thien Thuong Do" and "Cung Nghiem Phat Gia", have just been donated to the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts by collector Pham Duc Si.

On January 22, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum held a ceremony to receive two ancient works of art donated by collector Pham Duc Si.

The two works donated by collector Pham Duc Si to the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts are rare worship paintings of the San Diu ethnic group, including "Thien Thuong Do" and "Cung Nghiem Phat Gia".

Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts receives ethnic paintings image 1 — Two ancient paintings drawn with natural colors on Do paper, dating from around the early 20th century. Photo: M.An

Two vertical scroll paintings, painted in natural colors on dó paper, date from the early 20th century.

The painting “Thien Thuong Do” is 13m long and 26cm wide, dating from around the early 20th century. This is a rare type of long bridge painting, with a tight composition, elegant strokes and bright colors, depicting the layers of space from hell to heaven. The painting is considered to have high historical, cultural and artistic value.

The second painting, “Welcoming the Buddha”, is also a vertical scroll painting with beautiful drawings, bright colors, and time-stained paper… the painting depicts the story of people welcoming the Buddha.

According to folk painting researcher Phan Ngoc Khue, the painting "Thien Thuong Do" means sending the deceased to heaven, while "Cung Nghiem Phat Gia" symbolizes welcoming Buddha down to earth.

Mr. Khue assessed that the two paintings are an encyclopedia of the spiritual world of the San Diu people, helping the public understand more deeply their cultural life and beliefs.

Director of the Fine Arts Museum Nguyen Anh Minh also said that the two paintings are of high value in Vietnamese folk art. In particular, this is the first time the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has received such a long and valuable painting.

Receiving the two works not only enriches the museum's folk art treasure but is also an opportunity to affirm the profound cultural and spiritual values of the Vietnamese people through art.

T.Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bao-tang-my-thuat-viet-nam-tiep-nhan-tranh-co-cua-dan-toc-san-diu-post331602.html