Lê Phổ (1907–2001) stands as a foundational figure in twentieth-century Vietnamese modern art, synthesizing French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist techniques with traditional Vietnamese themes, most notably elongated women in áo dài, lotus ponds, and intimate domestic scenes.
Thank you for turning me on to Lê Phổ, it is always astounding to find such a marvelous artist and body of work that seems like one that we all should have know like we know Renoir or Monet.
I’m so glad you enjoyed discovering him! It really is amazing how some incredible artists fly under the radar despite their brilliance. Hopefully, more people will start recognizing his work; he definitely deserves that spotlight. Thank you for reading!
This is a beautifully written and deeply informative piece—thank you for shedding light on the nuance and evolution of Lê Phổ’s career. I was especially struck by how clearly you traced the way his work harmonizes French Impressionist techniques with Vietnamese subjects without ever losing a sense of rootedness. The comparison to Monet, Modigliani, and Bonnard helped me see his paintings with new eyes, while your descriptions of silk and lacquer techniques brought out the textural sensitivity of his work.
Thanks so much for your kind words and for reading! I’m really glad the piece helped highlight how he blends French Impressionism with his Vietnamese roots. His use of silk and lacquer is seriously amazing and adds such a unique texture to his work. I’m glad the comparisons gave you a fresh way to look at his paintings and that you enjoyed.
I'm enjoying so much this series of articles about Asian impressionists! When you study art history being in Europe, they always mention the Asian influence on modernist and impressionist painters, like in the works of Vuillard, Bonnard, Klimt, etc. But you never study the western influence in Asian artists, cause you actually never study those artists. I'm learning a lot, thanks Rogue! 😘
Thank you so much for this. I really enjoy highlighting artists who aren’t as widely known. Traditionally, art history has focused primarily on Western European art. At most universities, American, Asian, African, and Native American art are typically only offered as advanced courses geared specifically toward art and art history majors, leaving so much incredible talent overlooked by the general student body. I’m committed to changing that.
Thank you for turning me on to Lê Phổ, it is always astounding to find such a marvelous artist and body of work that seems like one that we all should have know like we know Renoir or Monet.
I’m so glad you enjoyed discovering him! It really is amazing how some incredible artists fly under the radar despite their brilliance. Hopefully, more people will start recognizing his work; he definitely deserves that spotlight. Thank you for reading!
This is a beautifully written and deeply informative piece—thank you for shedding light on the nuance and evolution of Lê Phổ’s career. I was especially struck by how clearly you traced the way his work harmonizes French Impressionist techniques with Vietnamese subjects without ever losing a sense of rootedness. The comparison to Monet, Modigliani, and Bonnard helped me see his paintings with new eyes, while your descriptions of silk and lacquer techniques brought out the textural sensitivity of his work.
Thanks so much for your kind words and for reading! I’m really glad the piece helped highlight how he blends French Impressionism with his Vietnamese roots. His use of silk and lacquer is seriously amazing and adds such a unique texture to his work. I’m glad the comparisons gave you a fresh way to look at his paintings and that you enjoyed.
The rest of the world, art we don’t see. Thanks for the eye-opener.
Happy that you enjoyed!
I'm enjoying so much this series of articles about Asian impressionists! When you study art history being in Europe, they always mention the Asian influence on modernist and impressionist painters, like in the works of Vuillard, Bonnard, Klimt, etc. But you never study the western influence in Asian artists, cause you actually never study those artists. I'm learning a lot, thanks Rogue! 😘
Thank you so much for this. I really enjoy highlighting artists who aren’t as widely known. Traditionally, art history has focused primarily on Western European art. At most universities, American, Asian, African, and Native American art are typically only offered as advanced courses geared specifically toward art and art history majors, leaving so much incredible talent overlooked by the general student body. I’m committed to changing that.
Well done! We appreciate it, and art history appreciates it too🥰
Thank you!