Nguyen Phan Chanh was recognized to make substantial contributions to Vietnamese silk paintings in the early 20th century throughout the history of Vietnamese Fine Arts. He laid the foundation for Vietnamese silk paintings with a consistent style throughout his career path.

Nguyen Phan Chanh (1892-1984) was born in Bat Tien hamlet, Trung Tiet commune, Thach Ha district, Ha Tinh province; hence, his pen name was Hong Nam. He was born and brought up in a civilized village but it was a poor land under the oppression of feudalism and colonialism.

Since he was a fatherless child at the age of 7, he had to face with the difficulties of his family in the contemporary society. Although his father died when he was a child, he always r...