The painting "Sacred Garment" by acclaimed artist Nguyen Nam Son achieved a record-breaking sale, fetching over 1,062 million euros at an Aguttes auction on 13/5. This price, which includes taxes and fees, makes it the artist's most valuable work to date.

Created in 1932, the silk painting uses ink and color to depict a sacred space within a pagoda. It features a young woman seated before an altar, appearing to sew a monk's robe. Her gaze, however, is directed away from the garment, conveying a contemplative mood.

Researcher Ngo Kim Khoi, Nguyen Nam Son's maternal grandson and author of "Nam Son (1899-1973) - Indochinese Fine Arts Heritage through Documents, Archives and Press", highlights the painting's intricate details. The background altar is covered with embroidered brocade-like fabric, adorned with rocky mountains on waves and blooming flowers. Five incense burners, decorated with "dragons facing the moon" (luong long tranh chau), sit on the altar. The monk's robe bears Chinese characters "Than Kiem ho", alongside a seal symbolizing three undulating mountains. This seal contains the Chinese inscription "Kiem ho Nguyen Nam Son nhan", signifying "person residing in Hanoi, where Hoan Kiem Lake is located, named Nguyen Nam Son". These elements contribute to the work's distinct artistic value, blending traditional Vietnamese spirit with modern painting aesthetics.

The painting "Vetement sacre de la pagode" (Sacred Garment of the Pagoda) sold for 1,062 million euros (approximately 32,8 billion dong), and was previously part of a private collection in France. *Photo: Aguttes*

Nguyen Nam Son (1890-1973), a native of Hanoi, is recognized as one of the pioneering artists of Vietnamese contemporary painting. He co-founded the Indochina College of Fine Arts with French artist Victor Tardieu and served as a professor in the Graphics and Decoration department.

Throughout his career, Nam Son produced over 400 works across various genres, including oil paintings, silk paintings, watercolors, ink, and crayon. His notable creations include Cho Gao by the Red River, White Storks and Goldfish, Portrait of a Confucian Scholar, Going to Market, and Rural Girl. In 3/2023, his "Portrait of My Mother", a poignant depiction of his affection for his mother and one of his most renowned works, was auctioned for 200,000 euros by Art Research Paris.

Phuong Linh (according to Aguttes)