In January 2010, Asiarta Foundation and the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles initiated a collaborative research project with the aim of investigating Vietnamese lacquer. Initial analytical results are expected towards the end of 2011. Vietnamese lacquer is distinct from lacquer used in the decorative arts in countries such as Japan and China, and has […]

As a result of severe environmental conditions and poor storage during the war, poor condition is characteristic of many paintings in Vietnam, and many are in urgent need of conservation. As part of a research project instigated with Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, two paintings by Nguyễn Trọng Kiệm (1933-1991) were sent to undergo scientific […]

Phố Hàng Cá (‘Fish Street’) was painted in 1962 by Bùi Xuân Phái (1920-88), a Hanoi artist who became one of Vietnam’s best-known painters for his depictions of the old streets of the city. On this painting from Witness Collection, oil paint was applied on the textured side of a hardboard panel. This cross-hatched texture, […]

In 2005, Witness Collection approached the Conservation Unit at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, for advice on suitable care and conservation of rare and fragile Vietnamese art works belonging to its collection. To support further investigation, Witness Collection arranged a research trip to Vietnam by Jean Brown, a senior faculty member, to […]