Vũ Cao Đàm (1906–1980): The Poet of Vietnamese Modernism

Biography

Vũ Cao Đàm, born in Hanoi in 1906 (sometimes cited as 1908), was one of the foremost figures of the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine, where he studied from 1926 to 1931 and graduated major of his class. Coming from a cultivated Catholic family his father was a francophone intellectual and representative of Vietnam at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle Vũ Cao Đàm grew up in an environment that encouraged both cultural curiosity and artistic refinement.

At the École des Beaux-Arts de Hanoi, founded by Victor Tardieu and Nam Sơn, he studied painting, drawing, and sculpture. Upon graduating, his professor Tardieu encouraged him to participate in the 1931 Paris Colonial Exhibition, which proved decisive for his career. After discovering France, Vũ Cao Đàm decided to settle in Paris permanently.

Initially recognized for his sculptures, he received numerous commissions and quickly became known for his portraits and busts that celebrated the grace of the human form. Around the mid-1930s, he turned increasingly toward painting on silk, developing a poetic and delicate style that became his hallmark.

His work harmoniously blends Eastern refinement and Western modernism, drawing inspiration from Fauvism and the École de Paris, yet rooted in Vietnamese aesthetics. Throughout his life, his favorite subjects feminine portraits, mother-and-child scenes, and floral compositions reveal a deep sensitivity and humanist vision.

Vũ Cao Đàm on the Art Market: Artist’s Value and Auction Estimates

Vũ Cao Đàm’s works occupy a central place in the market for modern Vietnamese art. His mastery of silk, as well as his luminous oil paintings and refined sculptures, appeal to international collectors for their lyricism and timeless elegance.

The most sought-after pieces are female portraits, maternity scenes, and floral still lifes, painted between the 1940s and 1970s. These works, often marked by soft tonalities, subtle gestures, and a meditative calm, have consistently achieved record prices at auction.

Highlights: Works by Vũ Cao Đàm Sold at Aguttes

• Vũ Cao Đàm (1906–1980), Maternité, 1944
  Ink and colors on silk, signed and dated lower right, 60 × 46.4 cm — Sold for €528,000

• Vũ Cao Đàm (1906–1980), Maternité, circa 1950
  Ink, colors, and light gouache on silk, signed lower right, 61 × 46 cm — Sold for €470,000

• Vũ Cao Đàm (1906–1980), Maternité rouge, circa 1950–1952
  Oil and mixed technique on silk, signed lower left, 61 × 50 cm — Sold for €351,000

These results confirm Vũ Cao Đàm’s status as one of the most collected Vietnamese artists worldwide, alongside Lê Phổ and Mai Trung Thứ.

Artistic Style and Legacy

Vũ Cao Đàm’s art is distinguished by:

• A lyrical sense of color and light, where pastel tones evoke serenity and tenderness.

• A refined technique, especially in silk painting, achieving transparency and subtle layering.

• A humanist vision, celebrating maternal affection, feminine grace, and quiet intimacy.

• A synthesis of East and West, bridging traditional Asian materials and European composition.

His works are often described as “poems of color and tenderness,” capturing the soul of Vietnam with universal emotional depth.

Selling a Work by Vũ Cao Đàm

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, author of Le renouveau de l’art moderne en Indochine and expert at Aguttes for over 15 years, brings her extensive expertise to sellers and collectors of Vietnamese modern art.

She appraises previously unseen works paintings, drawings, and sculptures and travels across France and Europe in collaboration with Aguttes’ regional offices.

To receive a free and confidential valuation, you can send a description, photographs, and any available documentation through the online estimation form or directly by email to our expert.

The department organizes an average of four annual sales dedicated to artists from the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine, consistently achieving world record results for Vietnamese modern art.

The Aguttes Asian Painters Department

As a leading auction house in the field of Asian modern art, Aguttes serves as a trusted intermediary between private collectors and institutions, ensuring transparency and excellence under French auction law.

The department regularly features major Vietnamese masters such as Lê Phổ, Nguyễn Phan Chánh, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Trần Văn Thọ, Phạm Hầu, and others.

Contact our expert today to obtain a free valuation of your Vũ Cao Đàm artwork and benefit from professional guidance for its appraisal and successful sale.

Lumières sur des œuvres vendues Vũ Cao Đàm chez Aguttes

Maternité, 1944, encre et couleurs sur soie, signée et datée en bas à droite 60 x 46,4 cm, vendue 528 000€.

Maternité, circa 1950, encre, couleurs et légers rehauts de gouache sur soie, signée en bas à droite 61 x 46 cm, vendue 470 000€.

Maternité rouge, circa 1950-1952, huile et technique mixte sur soie, signée en bas à gauche 61 x 50 cm, vendue 351 000€.

Vendre aux enchères une œuvre de Vũ Cao Đàm

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, auteur du livre Le renouveau de l'art moderne en Indochine, et expert pour Aguttes depuis plus de 15 ans, met à la disposition des vendeurs français et européens et des acheteurs majoritairement vietnamiens, sa formidable connaissance de ce mouvement et de ce marché. Elle expertise des objets et œuvres majoritairement inédites, peintures et sculptures modernes ou contemporaines. Notre expert se déplace en France et dans toute l’Europe en collaboration avec nos bureaux de représentation en région.

Vous pouvez également en amont d'un rendez-vous transmettre votre demande d'estimation accompagnée du descriptif, des photos et de tous documents disponibles relatifs à l'œuvre via le formulaire disponible en ligne, ou directement par mail à notre expert.

Le département organise en moyenne 4 ventes dédiées aux artistes de l'école des Beaux-arts de l'Indochine.

Leader historique sur le marché des artistes venus d’Asie, Aguttes représente pour chaque vendeur particulier ou professionnel le tiers de confiance qui lui garantit l’obtention du meilleur prix et l’atteinte de records mondiaux sur un marché exigeant. Une équipe de proximité s’assure du paiement final de chaque œuvre dont la vente aux enchères est régie par la législation française. 

Le département Peintres d'Asie Aguttes présente régulièrement des ventes consacrées aux grands artistes vietnamiens modernes : Lê Phổ, Nguyễn Phan Chánh, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Trần Văn Thọ, Phạm Hầu, et bien d’autres.

Contactez notre expert pour obtenir l'estimation de votre œuvre de Vũ Cao Đàm