Paintings by noted artists auctioned

Phố Cũ (Old Street), oil-on-canvas, by Bùi Xuân Phái, size 50 by 60, will be sold at $8,000.

The works include 12 paintings of various materials, including water colour, wood-carved sketches and a sculpture by Nguyễn Gia Trí (1908-1993), Nguyễn Tường Lân (1906-1946), Tô Ngọc Vân (1906-1954), Trần Văn Cẩn (1910-1994), Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm (1922-2016), Dương Bích Liên (1924-1988), Nguyễn Sáng (1923-1988) and Bùi Xuân Phái (1920-1988).

For example, Tình Yêu Đầu Tiên (The First Love), drawn by Trần Văn Cẩn in 1973 with coloured powder will be sold at an initial price of US$6,000.

Phố Cũ (Old Street), oil-on-canvas by Bùi Xuân Phái is among the highlight object at the sale and will be sold at $8,000.

Owner of the paintings, monk Thích Minh Thịnh, says that he is an art lover but not an art expert.

"I got the painting as a gift from a Buddhist who had close relationship with many noted painters," he said. "After keeping the paintings for a long time, I have realised that pagoda is not the proper place for such artwork. It should be shared with someone who appreciates fine arts, and the money from selling it can help many needy children."

The works will be exhibited at No 17 Trần Quốc Toản Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội, till July 29, while the final auction sale will take place at 6pm on July 30.

The sale is the fifth of its kind hosted by Chọn Auction House.

"Our success through five auction sessions shows that we have attracted more collectors, and we are trying to train our staff for a fairly new style of business in Việt Nam: dealing high ranking art works," said Trần Quốc Hùng, the House’s auction director.

“We host a regular sale on the last Sunday of every month,” said Vũ Tuấn Anh, director of Viet Art Space and House founder. “We introduce rare, unique, precious, authentic and verified art works to the public. We hope the publicity and transparency will help promote the art market in Việt Nam.”

“One month after the sale, if the buyers provide any evidence proving the paintings are fake, we will return 100 per cent of the money to the buyers, as well as be responsible for the buyers’ loss psychologically,” he said.