Hoàng Tích Chù (1912–2003): Master of Vietnamese Lacquer Art

A key figure of the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine

Born in 1912 in Bắc Ninh Province, in the Red River Delta, Hoàng Tích Chù joined the preparatory drawing class attached to the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine in 1929, under the direction of Nguyễn Nam Sơn.
For personal reasons, he only passed the entrance exam in 1936, earning him the affectionate nickname “old Chù” from his classmates (Nguyễn Văn Tỵ, Nguyễn Tiến Chung, Trần Văn Lắm, and Bùi Trang Chọc).

He first exhibited silk paintings in 1937 at the IIIe Salon de la Sadeai held at the Maurice Long Museum in Hanoi, where his talent was quickly recognized.
Graduating in 1941, second only to Nguyễn Văn Tỵ, Hoàng Tích Chù perfected the demanding art of lacquer painting. He participated in the Salon Unique (1943) and the Farta exhibitions in Hanoi.

Despite the presence of three lacquer workshops already operating in the city, he opened his own atelier on Hàng Khoai Street, joining the great lacquer masters Phạm Hầu, Nguyễn Gia Trí, and Nguyễn Văn Tỵ in developing this refined art form.
He also fulfilled commissions for the Cooperative of Indochinese Artists, directed by Joseph Inguimberty and Trần Văn Cẩn.

Throughout his work, Hoàng Tích Chù expressed a deep attachment to Vietnamese nature and culture.
After the end of the Indochina War, he joined the faculty of the Hanoi Fine Arts School, alongside Nguyễn Đức Nùng and Nguyễn Văn Tỵ, and even wrote a manual on lacquer techniques.
Celebrated as a “lyrical master” of lacquer painting, he worked tirelessly in this medium until his death, earning widespread recognition.
He regularly exhibited in national and international shows (Moscow, India, etc.) and received numerous awards.

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi holds several of his works in its collection.
In 2000, his exceptional talent was posthumously honored with the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Arts.

Market value and auction estimates for Hoàng Tích Chù

Renowned for his technical mastery of lacquer and his pursuit of balance between Vietnamese tradition and Western modernity, Hoàng Tích Chù is now regarded as one of the great modern masters of Vietnamese lacquer art.
His works, often poetic or symbolic, stand out for their rigorous technique, refined sensibility, and profound cultural resonance.

Monumental compositions and colonial-period lacquer panels, combining stylized landscapes and scenes of Vietnamese life, command the highest prices.

Highlights of works sold at Aguttes

• Village de la Moyenne Région au Tonkin, lacquer panel, signed and dated lower right, 100.5 × 60.5 cm — sold for €226,000

• Village du Tonkin, circa 1935–1940, lacquer with gold highlights, signed lower left, 43 × 57 cm — sold for €65,000

Selling a work by Hoàng Tích Chù

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, author of Le renouveau de l’art moderne en Indochine and Aguttes expert for over 15 years, offers sellers and collectors her deep expertise in the modern Vietnamese art market.
She appraises primarily unpublished works paintings and sculptures, modern or contemporary and conducts valuations across France and Europe in collaboration with Aguttes’ regional offices.

You can send your free valuation request with a description, photographs, and supporting documents via the online form, or directly by email to our expert.

The department holds four annual sales dedicated to artists from the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine.

As a historic leader in the market for Asian painters, Aguttes serves as a trusted intermediary ensuring the best results and world-record prices on a demanding market.
A dedicated team ensures secure payment and complete transparency, with all sales governed by French auction law.

The Peintres d’Asie Department regularly features major Vietnamese artists such as Lê Phổ, Nguyễn Phan Chánh, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Trần Văn Thọ, Phạm Hầu, and many others.

Contact our expert today to obtain a free valuation of your work by Hoàng Tích Chù, and benefit from personalized support throughout the selling process.