Engrave the history of resistance literature and art

Photographer Tran Van Luu (1917-2003) was from Nam Dinh , now Ninh Binh province. Before making his name with the title "The person who engraved the history of resistance literature and art", in 1942, he and photographers Vu Nang An and Nguyen Hong Nghi opened a photo exhibition specializing in landscapes and portraits at his photo studio in Hanoi. A mark that made Tran Van Luu famous was the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh that his studio took after National Day September 2, 1945, which was chosen as the official portrait of President Ho Chi Minh to be announced to the people. That photo was circulated throughout the years of resistance, and was used by him to give to international friends and those who had contributed to the cause.

In July 1948, the Vietnam Literature and Arts Association was established. Right from the beginning, the Association gathered the country's leading artists such as To Huu, Nguyen Dinh Thi, Nguyen Huy Tuong, Nguyen Hong, To Hoai, Nam Cao, Nguyen Tuan, Ngo Tat To, Xuan Dieu, The Lu, Nguyen Xuan Khoat, Van Cao... Not only did it leave behind many valuable works until now, but at that time, the Vietnam Literature and Arts Association became an important piece in the nation's resistance war against the French. Documents about events related to the Association are not much left, especially photo documents. Therefore, the photo book Literature and Arts and Resistance by photographer Tran Van Luu can be considered a valuable heritage not only in the field of photography but also in the field of literature and arts in general. The book brings together his important photographic works and documents about the faces of resistance artists as well as the literary and artistic life during the years of resistance war against the French.

For a long time, many photos in the legacy of photographer Tran Van Luu have appeared in books and newspapers, such as: the photo of 7 artists taken in front of the headquarters of the Literature and Arts Association in Xom Choi ( Thai Nguyen ); the artists saying goodbye to each other on their way to the front or the photo of actor The Lu putting on makeup before entering his role; musician Van Cao with a guitar; writer Nguyen Tuan smoking a pipe... The photos have been widely circulated but for many reasons, not everyone knows that they are his photos. Now, the photo book Literature and Resistance has partly helped the next generation understand more about the life and career of photographer Tran Van Luu.

The photo book ends with an appendix containing documents about Tran Van Luu after the restoration of peace , to help readers understand more about a photographer who made many contributions to history. In addition, there are some portraits of Tran Chinh Nghia's son who took pictures of later artists such as painter Bui Xuan Phai, musician Van Cao, writer Nguyen Tuan, poet Vu Dinh Lien, writer Phung Quan... This is like a continuation of the next generation with a common passion for photography.

QUYNH YEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khac-ghi-lich-su-van-nghe-khang-chien-post811923.html