Lacquer Painting

According to recent research on visual arts, lacquer continues to play a significant role as a traditional material in Vietnamese painting. Vietnamese lacquer painting has gained considerable attention in the artistic world due to its unique characteristics and ethnic features.

Lacquer has evolved over centuries to become widely utilized today. Approximately two millennia ago, the Vietnamese began processing raw lacquer to decorate and protect their everyday objects, furniture, and architecture from damage caused by nature. Items made of bamboo, fabric, wood, or leather that are coated in lacquer become glossy and watertight, with colors enduring through time.

However, it was through the dedicated study and research of students at Dong Duong University of Fine Arts that lacquer painting was officially recognized, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of Vietnamese fine arts. Notable artists such as Tran Van Can, Pham Hau, and Nguyen Gia Tri have been instrumental in the introduction and advancement of modern lacquer painting, which draws its origins from simple decorative motifs found in temples, pagodas, and traditional crafts.

Binh Phong (Folding Screen) by Nguyen Gia Tri

In addition to lacquer, modern lacquer painting incorporates materials such as eggshells, crab and snail shells, and even sheets of silver and gold. The color palette is no longer limited to the traditional trio of brown, black, and vermilion. To create a genuine lacquer painting, the process typically takes about 5 to 6 months, requiring artists to navigate approximately 20 distinct stages.

The initial step involves selecting the appropriate wood for the frame. A layer of natural lacquer is applied to protect the wood from environmental damage and insect infestations. Hot lacquer is used to outline the images, followed by the application of color in successive layers. Between each layer, artists must wait for the previous lacquer to dry before polishing it with water to achieve a smooth finish. There are several paradoxes in the lacquer painting process: while it is essential to keep the lacquered pieces out of the wind to dry, revealing the images requires a careful rubbing technique that allows the lines to emerge.
Layer upon layer in lacquer painting. Photo: @hongngoc

The final stage, polishing the artwork, must be executed with precision to create the brilliant glossy surface characteristic of these art pieces. Crafting a lacquer painting involves immense dedication, perseverance, and passion; only by observing the extraordinary beauty of these paintings can one fully appreciate the efforts of the artists involved.

It is often said that the countryside, landscapes, architecture, people, and daily life are vibrantly depicted in traditional paintings, albeit with a refreshing approach and style.