Le Quoc Loc
Le Quoc Loc (Lê Quốc Lộc) was born in 1918 in Hung Yen. He was not only an exceptional painter but also a revolutionary soldier, honored with numerous titles and medals by the Party and State during the resistance against the U.S. He played a significant role in training and developing the industrial art sector in Vietnam.
Dimensions: 70 x 120 cm
Medium: Lacquer paintings
Year: 1960
Status: Museum
Artist: Le Quoc Loc
Dimensions: 100.5 x 200 cm
Medium: Lacquer paintings
Year: 1939
Status: Museum
Artist: Le Quoc Loc
Dimensions: 91.8 x 130.2 cm
Medium: Lacquer paintings
Year: 1957
Status: Museum
Artist: Le Quoc Loc
1. Who was Le Quoc Loc?
Painter Le Quoc Loc was born on October 20, 1918, in Phung Hung, Khoai Chau, Hung Yen, and passed away on May 8, 1987, in Hanoi. He was a talented artist, praised not only for his expertise but also for his exceptional creativity, bringing viewers works full of allure. His works not only embodied the beauty of traditional culture but also intertwined with the contemporary spirit, creating a unique artistic fusion. Many of his works have been honored with prestigious awards both domestically and internationally and are highly valued by art collectors, fetching substantial prices.
2. Artistic Journey
Le Quoc Loc began his artistic career after graduating from the Lacquer Department at the Indochina College of Fine Arts between 1937 and 1942. Before the August Revolution in 1945, he joined the revolutionary path, becoming a member of Viet Minh, driven by patriotism and the desire for freedom.
After the revolution, from 1945 to 1946, he played an important role at the Northern Bureau of Propaganda. From 1947 to 1954, he was in charge of the Art Department at the Propaganda Bureau of Interzone III, contributing his strength and talent to revolutionary art. In 1957, he became a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, affirming his position in the art world.
From 1955 to 1959, he worked at the Painting Workshop of the Vietnam Literary and Arts Association and then became the Vice Principal of the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts in 1959. From 1966, he joined the Executive Board of the Vietnam Folklore Art Association during its first term. In 1968, he transitioned to working at the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, where he worked until 1978. He also served as a member of the Executive Board and Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association from 1968 to 1983 and as a member of the Decorative Arts Professional Council from 1983 to 1989.
His artistic journey came to a close in 1987 when he passed away in Hanoi, leaving behind a rich and profound legacy for Vietnamese art. Throughout his life of dedication, he was awarded many prestigious honors from the Party and State of Vietnam.
3. Artistic Style and Main Themes
Le Quoc Loc's main themes revolved around resistance and revolution, clearly reflecting the sentiments and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. He was particularly passionate about lacquer as a medium, using traditional techniques to create unique and impressive works.
Le Quoc Loc constantly explored and innovated, expressing new ideas through distinctive compositions, offering viewers fresh perspectives on art. He paid great attention to both content and aesthetics in each work, turning every painting into a perfect piece of art, rich in meaning and sophistication.
His efforts in training and developing the field of Vietnamese Industrial Art also contributed to solidifying his position in the art world. The awards and medals he received are clear evidence of his talent and dedication to the arts.
4. Exhibition History and Awards
Throughout his career, Le Quoc Loc was honored with many prestigious awards from the Party and the State of Vietnam, including:
- Second-Class Resistance Medal
- First-Class Anti-American Resistance Medal
- Medal for the Cause of Vietnamese Literature and Arts
- Medal for the Cause of Vietnamese Fine Arts
In addition to these prestigious titles, his works were always highly regarded and won many notable awards both domestically and internationally, such as:
- First Prize at the 1951 Painting Exhibition
- First Prize at the 1960 National Fine Arts Exhibition
- Second Prize at the National Fine Arts Exhibitions in 1955, 1958, and 1962
- First Prize at the 1978 Handicraft Art Exhibition in the German Democratic Republic
- Second Prize at the 1974 Handicraft Art Exhibition in the German Democratic Republic
After his death, he was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts in 2000 for his notable works such as:
- "Through the Old Village" (lacquer, 1957, 93 x 131 cm)
- "Light Arrives" (lacquer, 1957)
- "Scorched Earth Resistance" (lacquer, 1958, 86 x 180 cm)
- "Keeping the Peace" (lacquer, 1962, 70 x 120 cm)
- "From the Darkness" (lacquer, 1982, 121 x 121 cm)
5. Notable Works by Le Quoc Loc
5.1. Pagoda Festival
The painting "Pagoda Festival" (1939) was created on four lacquer panels, depicting a vibrant village festival scene amid the backdrop of Western influence. The work, with its simple yet sophisticated segments, showcases the condensed expression of lacquer art. The piece is currently preserved and displayed at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.
5.2. From the Darkness
Created in 1982, "From the Darkness" is a lacquer masterpiece with a solid, modern square composition. The work's distinct color tones, harmoniously blending light and dark, express the indomitable and resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people.
5.3. Keeping the Peace
The painting "Keeping the Peace" reflects the transformations of a new era in the country and marks the significant development of Vietnamese lacquer painting during the period from 1957 to 1962 in the 20th century.
5.4. Phnom Penh Landscape
The painting "Phnom Penh Landscape" made headlines when it sold for 1.2 million euros (approximately 32 billion VND) at the Millon-Asium Asian art auction on the evening of October 21, 2021. Initially valued between 200,000 and 300,000 euros, the piece quickly escalated from a starting bid of 150,000 euros to 940,000 euros before the hammer fell at 1.21 million euros after taxes.
The work is composed of eight lacquer panels, divided into three scenes: a monk praying, a person blessing a woman, and people strolling. Signature Phnom Penh trees such as sugar palms, fan palms, coconuts, and bananas blend into the artistic space. Natural lacquer materials such as wood, lacquer resin, gold leaf, and eggshells create a warm, peaceful feeling. Two main colors dominate the work: yellow, symbolizing spirituality and happiness, and red, representing vibrant life.
(*) Artist Le Huy Van (Le Quoc Loc's son) shared that "Phnom Penh Landscape" was created in 1943, the year he was born, and also the year Le Quoc Loc graduated from the Indochina College of Fine Arts.
5.5. Mekong River Landscape with a Village
The painting "Mekong River Landscape with a Village" (1943) portrays a serene scene along the Mekong River. The artist skillfully brings banana trees to the foreground, while in the distance to the right, a boat glides lightly across the river, and to the left, houses peek out from lush green foliage. The painting showcases the artist’s masterful technique in combining multiple layers of scenery, creating contrast and depth, capturing the harmonious connection between humans and the poetic nature around them. The painting was sold at an impressive price.
6. Influence and Legacy
Le Quoc Loc practiced art during a turbulent time in Vietnam. He skillfully used art to convey revolutionary messages, inspiring patriotism and a longing for freedom. His works are a blend of tradition and modernity, creating a distinct artistic style.
His legacy lies not only in his artworks but also in the spirit of creativity and passion for the arts that he passed on to younger generations. Le Quoc Loc played a key role in preserving and promoting folk cultural values, helping viewers become more aware of Vietnamese cultural identity.
7. Criticism and Evaluation
Painter Le Quoc Loc was highly regarded by critics, colleagues, and the public for his talent and dedication. His works were praised for their harmonious combination of tradition and modernity, creating pieces with depth and meaning.
Art critic Nguyen Van Hoa remarked: "Le Quoc Loc was an outstanding artist who skillfully breathed life into each painting, offering profound insights into Vietnamese cultural identity." He also served as an inspiration for younger artists with his continuous creative spirit and deep love for his craft.
The public and art lovers have always held a special place in their hearts for his works, considering them an essential part of the journey to discover Vietnamese art. Le Quoc Loc's influence extended beyond his paintings, inspiring those who love art and evoking a sense of pride in the cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people.
8. Personal Life of Artist Le Quoc Loc
Artist Le Quoc Loc lived a life full of meaning and color. During his time in the revolution, he was closely connected with the themes of resistance and revolution, bringing ideas of patriotism and love for art into his works.
Beyond painting, he delved deeply into culture and folk art. He often sought inspiration from nature, simple moments in life, and from folk legends. His creative philosophy was expressed through the maxim: "Art is the connection between soul and life."
In his personal life, he lived simply and discreetly. Le Quoc Loc had seven children, and he was proud that many of them pursued and succeeded in the arts, such as painters Le Huy Van, Le Kim My, and Le Tri Dung. The family of artist Le Quoc Loc is an artistic family, with significant contributions to Vietnamese fine arts.
Throughout his life dedicated to art, Le Quoc Loc was not only a talented painter but also a great inspiration for younger generations of artists, leaving behind a rich and profound legacy in the heart of Vietnamese art.