French Artists Capture Vietnam’s Văn Miếu Through Art

An exhibition at Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám in Hanoi displays artwork depicting the historic site from the late 19th and 20th centuries, created by both French and Vietnamese artists. The show, running from July 5 to August 5, commemorates the 950th anniversary of the Temple of Literature. French artist Gaston Roullet created early sketches of the site during a visit to Vietnam from 1885 to 1886, later exhibiting his work in Paris.

The exhibition also features works from artists like François de Marliave, who captured the site during a period when Confucianism declined and the complex fell into disrepair, and Alix Aymé, a French artist who deeply engaged with Vietnamese culture. Later works include paintings by Vietnamese artist Bùi Xuân Phái and Trịnh Hữu Ngọc, the latter of whom created an estimated several dozen paintings of Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám.

The exhibition extends to contemporary artists working with diverse media, and aims to foster dialogue between generations of artists and offer new perspectives on this cultural landmark.