A Closer Look:
Attributed to Nguyen Gia Tri
Battle of the
River Bach Dang
Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is excited to offer the painting Battle of the River Bach Dang in the upcoming La Modernité Vietnamienne Online auction, which is attributed to the renowned Vietnamese painter Nguyen Gia Tri through a meticulous research before the sale.
Attributed to Nguyen Gia Tri, Battle of the River Bach Dang in the XIIIth century, €30,000-50,000
Attributed to Nguyen Gia Tri, Battle of the River Bach Dang in the XIIIth century, €30,000-50,000
A Pivotal Maritime Encounter
The Battle of Bạch Đằng in 1288 was a pivotal maritime encounter between Đại Việt (modern-day Vietnam) and the Yuan dynasty (Mongol Empire).
Prince Trần Quốc Tuấn (1228-1300), also known as Trần Hưng Đạo, led the Vietnamese forces in a strategic and innovative campaign. The underwater stakes placed in the Bạch Đằng River proved an effective trap for the Yuan fleet, resulting in its annihilation. This decisive victory for Đại Việt led to the capture of numerous ships and the neutralisation or detention of thousands of Yuan soldiers, effectively ending Kublai Khan's ambitions to conquer the region.
The battle is celebrated as a testament to Trần Hưng Đạo's military brilliance and remains a significant source of national pride in Vietnam, inspiring various artistic creations.
The Yuan troops, identifiable by their green attire, fall into a trap set by Hưng Đạo during high tide.
As the tide recedes, the Yuan fleet encounters wooden stakes embedded in the riverbed, visible in the foreground, which immobilise their ships.
A fleet of Vietnamese junks, manned by red-clad warriors with flags bearing the dragon emblem of the Trần dynasty, then destroys the trapped Yuan warships, resulting in a significant number of Yuan soldiers being killed or drowned after jumping into the river.
In the right foreground, two muscular figures in loincloths represent Yết Kiêu (1242-1303) and his comrade. Yết Kiêu, one of Hưng Đạo's most talented generals, was renowned for his exceptional swimming skills. He played a crucial role in the battle, earning the title of Trần Dynasty's First Commander of the Water Army for his ability to sabotage enemy vessels by drilling into them under the cover of night.
A Sophisticated and Detailed Representation of the Historic Battle
The figures and motifs in this painting, consistent with historical records, confirm its representation of the famous naval battle on the Bạch Đằng River in the 13th century. It demonstrates the artist's mastery in creating large-scale scenes and a profound understanding of national history.
The reverse of the panel bears a label inscribed with 'XXVIII. Biennale Internationale d'Arte di Venezia - 1956 - 181', authenticated by La Biennale di Venezia, the organisation responsible for the Venice Biennale.
While this painting was not published or mentioned in the catalogue, the presence of this label confirms that the panel was sent to Venice and received by the organisation. At that time, all artworks arriving in Venice were labelled, but not all were selected for exhibition.
Unselected works were returned to their countries of origin or their embassies. This likely explains why the painting was subsequently found in the Embassy of the Republic of Vietnam in Rome.
The fine cloth used in preparing the base and traces of brown lacquer are only visible on three edges on the reverse, suggesting that one side of the panel may have been trimmed. This raises questions regarding the panel's initial condition and the circumstances of its arrival in Venice. Could the panel have arrived in Venice damaged, thus affecting its presentation at the Biennale? In addition, could the original signature on the left been trimmed off?
After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the panel was sold to a European private collector and later acquired by the present owner in the 2000s. It is accompanied by a printed card from 'Quê Me & the Committee for Human Rights in Vietnam', France, where the painting is reproduced. The caption notes the title Battle of the River Bạch Đằng in the XIIIth century, lacquer by Nguyễn Gia Trí, Vietnamese Artist. It is likely that this panel was recognised at that time as a work by Nguyễn Gia Trí.
The painting is accompanied by a printed card from 'Quê Me & the Committee for Human Rights in Vietnam', France
The painting is accompanied by a printed card from 'Quê Me & the Committee for Human Rights in Vietnam', France
Bach Dang battle, colour on paper, 70 x 100 cm, in the collection of Mr. Trương Văn Thuận of Binh Minh Art Gallery, HCMC
Bach Dang battle, colour on paper, 70 x 100 cm, in the collection of Mr. Trương Văn Thuận of Binh Minh Art Gallery, HCMC
This painting can be closely compared to a sketch Bach Dang battle, colour on paper, 70 x 100 cm, in the collection of Mr. Trương Văn Thuận of Binh Minh Art Gallery, HCMC. The red-clad warriors are engaged in combat with the green-clad enemies. The colour and atmosphere of this drawing remarkably correspond to those illustrated in the panel in this sale.
About the Artist Nguyen Gia Tri (Nguyễn Gia Trí)
Nguyễn Gia Trí was born in 1908 in Chương Mỹ, near Hanoi. He graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine in 1936 and is regarded as one of the four masters of Vietnamese painting, as well as one of the most significant lacquer artists in history. His artworks are renowned for their delicate and high-quality materials, including paints, screens, and wooden boards. The majority of his works depict the natural beauty and landscapes of Vietnam.
Discover the painting Battle of the River Bạch Dang in the XIIIth century, attributed to Nguyen Gia Tri, which will be offered by Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in the online sale from 5 - 11 December, 2024.
Upcoming Auction
La Modernité Vietnamienne Online
Online Only | 5 - 11 December, 2024
Enquiries
Joan Yip
+33 1 89 53 43 57
joan.yip@bonhams.com
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