Vietnamese Lacquer Paintings
220 paintings
Lacquer painting — sơn mài — is Vietnam’s own contribution to modern art. Lacquer had been used here for centuries to protect and decorate religious and household objects. In the 1930s, students and teachers at the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine in Hanoi turned it into a fine-art medium, and painters such as Nguyễn Gia Trí, Trần Văn Cẩn and Phạm Hậu developed the depth and nuance that define the form today.
The material is resin tapped from the sơn tree, grown mainly in Phú Thọ. On a wooden board the artist builds ten to twenty layers or more of coloured and clear lacquer, adding crushed eggshell — the only way to obtain white, since the resin itself is translucent — along with gold leaf, silver leaf and mother-of-pearl. Every layer has to cure before the next goes on, so a single painting can take months.
The image appears only at the last stage: mài, the grinding. The surface is rubbed back with water and a fine abrasive until the buried layers show through. No two results are identical, and no part of the process can be hurried — which is why a lacquer painting reads differently under every light.
Every work below is an original by a Vietnamese artist, sold with a certificate of authenticity and shipped worldwide.
Echoes of Bamboo
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Rhythm of leaves
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White calla lilies
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Riverside village
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Lotus flower II
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Lotus Serenity
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Plum Blossom Forest
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Bamboo Harmony
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Golden Valley
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Golden Bamboo Serenity
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Lotus Symphony
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Pure Lotus
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Blessed Lotus
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Summer in the Old Quarter
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Lotus Reverie
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Ivory bloom
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Emerald whispers
AvailableSubjects you will find in our lacquer paintings
Browsing the collection above, a few subjects come up again and again. Knowing them can help you decide which painting speaks to you before you look at size and price.
- Lotus. Many works are built around lotus flowers and leaves, from quiet single blooms to whole ponds. Two artists known for it are Pham Thang Long and Bui Trong Du.
- Bamboo. Bamboo groves, in greens and golds, appear in titles such as Echoes of Bamboo and Golden Bamboo.
- Villages and rivers. Countryside scenes, riverbanks and highland villages, for example Ha Giang village and Riverside village. Dinh Viet's lacquer landscapes are a good place to start.
- Hanoi. Old Quarter streets and Hoan Kiem Lake are painted by several artists in the collection.
How to choose a painting for your space
These are practical questions to settle before you fall for one particular work:
- Wall and distance. Measure the wall and think about where you will usually stand to look at it. A large work needs room to be seen; a smaller one suits a hallway or a desk-height spot.
- Light in the room. Look at the wall at different times of day. Lacquer surfaces can look different in warm lamp light and in daylight, so ask the gallery for photos in more than one light if you can.
- Colours already in the room. You do not need to match your furniture, but a painting dominated by one colour will read differently against a neutral wall than against a coloured one.
- Frame and hanging. Ask what the frame is, how the work is hung, and whether the wall you have in mind can carry its weight.
If you are comparing materials, our article on lacquer versus oil on canvas sets out the differences, and the complete guide for first-time buyers walks through the whole decision.
What does "sơn mài" mean?
Sơn mài is the Vietnamese word for lacquer painting: an image built in layers of lacquer on a wooden panel and then polished back until the layers show through.
Are these paintings original or prints?
They are originals by Vietnamese artists, and each comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. The gallery ships worldwide with professional art packaging and insured delivery. Delivery times vary by destination and shipping method, and the team gives you an estimate before you buy.
How do I care for a lacquer painting at home?
Keep it away from direct sunlight and damp, avoid heat sources and direct air-conditioning, and dust it only with a soft, dry cloth. If you see mould, cracks or flaking, stop and contact the gallery.
How do I know which size will suit my wall?
Measure the wall, decide how far you will usually be from it, and compare with the dimensions listed under each painting. If you are unsure, ask the gallery to help you judge.