Tran Binh Loc

The work is in overall good condition. There are scattered signs of accretion, noticeably on the top left corner, immediate right edge and the central figures. Otherwise the paint layers are intact and the silk free of tears or discoloration. Framed, under plexi-glass.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

During the early 1930s, the traditional art of silk painting, known as Tranh lua, was revived and taught at the École Supérieure des Beaux Arts de l’Indochine in Hanoi under the guise of Victor Tardieu and Nam Son, the co-founders of the institution. Tran Binh Loc was a student of this university, which fused classical Vietnamese art with the French salon style. The Colonial Exhibition, which took place in Paris 1931, particularly marked a turning point in the rejuvenation of this deep-rooted art form, highlighting it as one of the two major pillars of modern Vietnamese art: lacquer work and silk painting.

In the present lot, Tran Binh Loc depicts common folk going about their circadian activities on a traditional sampan, a type of wooden sailboat. The composition has a photographic element, exemplifying the artist’s ability to elevate the decorative art art of silk painting to the level of fine art. The muted color tones, soft and precise brushstrokes, and fine outlines demonstrate Tran Binh Loc’s mastery of the medium. In this tranquil representation, it is apparent that the artist experiments by incorporates diluted ink that assimilates so naturally with the gouache medium and ultimately produces a soft effect. This winsome, precious painting, painted in 1933, is a splendid rendition of a typical scene in Vietnam, and serves as a stellar example of the mastery of modern Vietnamese silk painting.