The event aims to honor the contributions of famous painter Tran Van Can, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his death (1994 - 2024).

Among the first four pillars of modern Vietnamese fine arts, Tri - Lan - Van - Can, the famous painter Tran Van Can (1910 - 1994) demonstrated his talent in many aspects, from silk paintings, lacquer paintings, oil paintings to wood carvings. His works contributed to shaping the appearance of modern Vietnamese fine arts, bringing the flavor of Vietnamese fine arts to the international level.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum Nguyen Anh Minh said: Tran Van Can is a simple, honest person but a daring painter. In the first half of his career, he devoted himself to art, made many discoveries and contributions to Vietnamese fine arts, especially important contributions in perfecting lacquer techniques. In the second half of his career, Tran Van Can devoted himself to the fine arts career to serve the people. He accepted to sacrifice his personal ego and personal preferences to serve people and serve the nation's fine arts.

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum is fortunate to preserve a valuable collection of works by the famous painter Tran Van Can. With the desire to widely introduce this valuable collection to the public, the Museum has compiled and published the book "Tran Van Can - Selected works in the collection of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum". The 213-page book, published by The Gioi Publishing House, includes articles, images and information about the works of the famous painter Tran Van Can.

"We hope that the book will help readers have a more complete picture of the portrait and personality of the famous painter Tran Van Can - one of the great figures of modern Vietnamese fine arts. The book is not only a valuable reference for researchers and art students, but also a meaningful spiritual gift for those who love Vietnamese painting" - Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh emphasized.

As the book's content consultant, researcher Nguyen Hai Yen shared: "Tran Van Can is the only painter in the group of four famous painters Tri - Lan - Van - Can who lived his entire life in the 20th century. His works follow three propositions: history, heritage and society. Regarding heritage, painter Tran Van Can always adheres to the artistic values ​​of Vietnamese heritage, in which he created many lacquer paintings. Although he studied at the Indochina College of Fine Arts in the direction of impressionism, light and color in oil paintings, the color and light in his paintings are closely associated with traditional Vietnamese lacquer. Besides, painter Tran Van Can's paintings always show a comprehensive view of the image of the country and people of Vietnam through historical periods. Although very simple, they have left a deep impression on the public, especially those working in Vietnamese fine arts today".

According to the Chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, painter Luong Xuan Doan said: Together with the golden generation of the Indochina College of Fine Arts, famous painter Tran Van Can laid the first golden bricks for the solid foundation of modern and contemporary Vietnamese art in the 20th century.

"From the arduous paths through the two great resistance wars of the nation until the day of peace and national reunification, he remained a devoted and devoted person in silence, only letting his talented pen speak on each work. He lived and painted with a sincere heart, a faithful companion to the fate of the nation and the country" - artist Luong Xuan Doan expressed.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum received the musical work "Little Thuy's Minuet" donated by author Paul Zetter. The work "Little Thuy's Minuet" was inspired by the painting "Em Thuy" created by artist Tran Van Can.

Sharing at the ceremony, author Paul Zetter said that he came to Vietnam in 1998 as Deputy Director of the British Council. Since then, he began to learn about Vietnamese fine arts and accidentally found the painting "Little Thuy" by artist Tran Van Can in a book. He was extremely impressed with the innocent beauty of little Thuy and composed the song "Little Thuy's Minuet" specifically for this work.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has received many donations of art works from organizations and individuals. Although this is the first time the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has received a musical work - a special piece of music composed by musician Paul Zetter, inspired by one of the Museum's National Treasures - the oil painting "Em Thuy" by the famous painter Tran Van Can.

"With "Little Thuy's Minuet", we will use it on the Museum's digital platforms as a brand identity and in concert programs at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. The music is a meaningful gift, along with the National Treasure "Em Thuy" which will continue to be preserved and promoted at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum", Mr. Nguyen Anh Minh affirmed.

With the accompaniment of People's Artist Ngo Hoang Quan, the piece was arranged for a chamber music group and performed for the first time at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, during the book launch ceremony about the famous painter Tran Van Can./.