Nguyên Khang

Nguyễn Khang (1911–1989): A Master of Modern Vietnamese Lacquer

Promotion VI (1930–1935) — École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine

Biography

Vietnamese artist Nguyễn Khang was born in Hanoi in 1911. In 1928, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine, founded by Victor Tardieu and Nam Sơn, and graduated in 1935. Among his classmates were major figures such as Trần Văn Cẩn, Phạm Hậu, and Nguyễn Gia Trí, all of whom would help establish lacquer painting as a leading art form in 20th-century Vietnamese modern art.

His artistic development reached its peak after a formative trip to Paris, where he represented Vietnam at the 1937 Exposition Universelle, exhibiting at the Indochina Pavilion. In the early 1940s, a stay in Japan further deepened his technical mastery and broadened his stylistic influences.

Nguyễn Khang’s art is characterized by his poetic depiction of the relationship between humans and nature. His lacquer panels frequently feature animals horses, cats, and birds rendered with elegance and symbolism. His works have been shown in major galleries such as Wonzimer and are part of the collections of the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts as well as important private collections worldwide.

Today, his works remain rare on the art market, particularly in France, contributing to the strength and exclusivity of his reputation.

Nguyễn Khang on the Art Market: Artist’s Value and Auction Estimates

A graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine, Nguyễn Khang is recognized as one of the great masters of modern Vietnamese lacquer, alongside Nguyễn Gia Trí and Lê Quốc Lộc.

Large decorative panels created between the 1930s and 1960s, often composed of several joined elements and featuring elegant landscapes or stylized female figures, achieve the highest results at auction.

Highlights: Works Sold by Aguttes

• Nguyên Khang (1911–1989), La Famille de Bergers, 1986
  Lacquer with gold highlights, triptych, signed and dated lower right, 61 × 60.5 cm each panel (total 61 × 183 cm) — sold for €500,000, a world record (cover lot, Aguttes, 2022).

• Nguyên Khang (1911–1989), Tam Cam, 1983
  Lacquer, signed lower right, 63.5 × 42 cm — sold for €114,000 (Aguttes, 2021).

These results reflect the international recognition and rarity of Nguyễn Khang’s lacquer panels, which combine technical excellence with lyrical beauty.

Selling a Work by Nguyễn Khang

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, author of Le renouveau de l’art moderne en Indochine and expert at Aguttes for over 15 years, offers her in-depth expertise to French and European sellers and predominantly Vietnamese collectors.

She specializes in previously unseen works, including modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures, and conducts on-site valuations across France and Europe in collaboration with Aguttes’ regional offices.

You can submit a free and confidential valuation request, including a detailed description, photos, and any relevant documentation, through the online estimation form or directly by email to our specialist.

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

The Aguttes Asian Painters Department

As a historical leader in the market for modern Asian artists, Aguttes acts as a trusted intermediary for private and professional sellers, ensuring top results and secure transactions under French auction law.

The Asian Painters Department regularly features auctions dedicated to the great masters of modern Vietnamese art, including:
Lê Phổ, Nguyễn Phan Chánh, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Trần Văn Thọ, Phạm Hầu, and many others.

Contact our expert today to receive a free valuation of your Nguyễn Khang artwork and benefit from personalized guidance from appraisal to sale.