OLD VILLAGE

Private collection

Oil on canvas

80cm x 100cm

The late artist Trần Lưu Hậu (1928–2020) was a leading figure in modern Vietnamese art. A member of the generation trained in formal academic institutions, he soon moved beyond traditional frameworks to develop a distinct painterly language—free, expressive, and deeply personal. In his works, color and form were not merely visual elements but powerful tools for conveying emotion, charged with a rare sense of artistic freedom.

From the perspective of an art professional, I see in his journey from expressionism to abstraction a resonance with international art movements. Trần Lưu Hậu shared the explosive spirit of Abstract Expressionism—his decisive brushstrokes, open compositions, and emotional intensity echo artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. His bold and symbolic color palette also evokes the energy of Fauvism, reminiscent of Henri Matisse, where color serves not to describe, but to express.

Yet, Trần Lưu Hậu never conformed to any particular school. He created a world of his own—infused with Vietnamese soul. However abstract his paintings became, they always carried the subtle presence of rural life, nature, and the everyday rhythms of Vietnam. This cultural grounding distinguished him from Western artists. The Eastern spirit in his work has affinities with Zao Wou-Ki or Hans Hartung, but instead of seeking the mystical, Trần Lưu Hậu embraced a quiet, contemplative simplicity—imbued with a Zen-like clarity.

The value of his work continues to rise on the art market—not only due to his name but for the originality of his vision. For collectors, owning a Trần Lưu Hậu painting is not only an art investment, but a way to connect with the modern artistic heritage of Vietnam. To me, the late Trần Lưu Hậu stands as a symbol of artistic renewal—a visionary who dared to transcend boundaries to forge a visual language that is at once profoundly Vietnamese and in dialogue with the world.

SOLD