Phan Chanh Nguyen

Do you own a piece by Nguyen Phan Chanh and would you like to know more about the work and its value? Our Experts will carry out a free appraisal of your painting, provide you with an estimate of the market price, and help you to sell it at the best price.

Status, price and estimation of the artist Nguyen Phan Chanh

Price of a painting: 6,700 – 154,000 €.

Price of a drawing: 1,000 – 600,900 €.

If you would like to have a work by Nguyen Phan Chanh appraised, our experts will take care of everything.

Nguyen Phan Chanh and the National School of Fine Arts of Indochina

Nguyen Phan Chanh was a Vietnamese artist born in 1892 in a rural village. He was brought up in his youth practicing Chinese and then studied calligraphy in the same country in order to be able to claim the title of Mandarin, even though it took too long for him to reach the required age since the qualification was abolished. He nevertheless continued his studies at the Indochina School of Fine Arts in Hanoi. The spirit of this institution is indicative of the colonial context in which it is situated, as his mentra testifies: “to transform indigenous craftsmen into professional artists”. Despite this condescending attitude towards the natives, the teachers of this school and founder, Victor Tardieu, Nam Son Nguyen Van Tho and Joseph Imguiberty, taught European techniques, but also Oriental practices, such as painting on silk and lacquer, which shows a certain openness. In spite of colonisation, these individuals still had a real interest and recognition for Vietnamese art of the time. Their good relations with the students enabled them to build an artistic community.

A distinct student

Nguyen Phan Chanh was one of the first arrivals at the school in 1925, even though he was one of the oldest students at 33 years old. He was considered a strange apprentice who preferred to depict rural scenes and maintain traditions, which led his teachers to consider him as a student with an outdated style and practices, preferring and excelling in the practice of silk painting rather than oil painting.

A particular political context

Silk painting is indeed seen as a traditional Chinese practice, although for Nguyen Phan Chanh it expresses the quintessence of Vietnamese art. The enthusiasm to make it an art expressing Vietnam’s national identity reflects the political context of the time, glorifying Vietnamese peasants and soldiers and following the socialist propaganda of the time.

Nguyen Phan Chanh took part in his country’s war of resistance, and in the post-colonial area after 1945, he was particularly appreciated because his work represented and embodied the traditional art of the natives.

It is undeniable that the political context in which he evolved throughout his life greatly influenced his work, particularly in China and France. However, his poignant and elegant work is recognised as unique, including internationally, which is why he was exhibited in Paris in 1931, Italy in 1934, America in 1937, Japan in 1940 and then Hungary, Romania…

Recognising Nguyen Phan Chanh’s signature

Like many artists, Nguyen Phan Chanh did not sign all of his works. However, you will find below an example of the signatures to give you an idea. Variations of these signatures do exist, do not hesitate to contact one of our experts to formally authenticate a signature.

Appraise and sell a painting by Nguyen Phan Chanh

If you own a Nguyen Phan Chanh painting or any other sculpture, ask for a free estimate via our online form.

You will then be contacted by a member of our team of experts and auctioneers to give you an independent view of the market price of your painting. In the event of a sale, our specialists will also advise you on the various options available to sell your work at the best price.