12/12/2016
The information and the latest comments on:
A MASTERPIECE OF PAINTER
LEONARDO DA VINCI IS CURRENTLY STORED IN VIETNAM?
• SYMPHONY
Art lovers are surprised about the painting which is thought that it was painted by Leonardo da Vinci and now it is located in Vietnam and displayed in the Ba Chuong Church (HCM Citiy) for not long ago ...
Until recently, in the early months of 10.2016, the owner of the above painting, Mr. Nguyen Van Luong, residence: Cai Be, Tien Giang province, came to HCM City witth some new information relating to the Last Supper painting (Last Supper). We meet and asked him some questions as follows:
- Sir, do you more documents to prove that the painting “Last Supper” in your collection was painted by Da Vinci?
First of all, I want to emphasize the opinion of the experts at the Louvre Museum in France that the tiny dots on the paintings originated from Europe are one of the proofs of the presence of the Leonardo Da Vinci in his unique paintings. This unique characteristics is also found in the painting “Last Supper” which we are holding. In particular, this painting was painted by millions of tiny color dots which are as small as a needle head, about 1 / 20mm - 1 / 40mm. When we shined a watt light on it, the coat of Lord Jesu in this painting reacted the light with sparkling red. Similar to other paintings, this painting was mixed with tiny countless glass particles with the size of dust particles in a few thousandths inch which coincided with the research of Mrs. Barbara-Berrie of National Art Gallery Room, Washington - America on paintings of Da Vinci found.
- Apart from the tiny dots as you said, are there more signs to realize that the painting you are holding was painted by Da Vinci?
Mr. Andrew Martin Kemp of Oxford University - UK, a leading expert in the field of study of Renaissance art, said: "Da Vinci loved to use glass materials on hispainting"; Mr. Alessandro Vezzozi, Director of Idenle Museum in Tussian, Italy said: "Da Vinci had the ability to cover glass on papers and leaves in a separate secret which was unknown." Mr. Kemp gave evidences on the glass drops rising on the painting “Salvator Mundi” pained by Leonardo Da Vinci. According to information from phòng Laboratoire du Centre de Recherche et de Restauration de Musées de France of France and the European synchrotron radiation agency, when they studied 7 paintings by Da Vinci in the Louvre Museum, they realized that there were glass layers overlapping on the surface of these paintings. Dr. Phillipe – Walter, the Head of Art Study Team in Paris also pointed out: "The assignment of boundary tones from the light to the dark places of the 7 paintings by Da Vinci is barely distinguishable "and reminded his colleagues to pay attention to thin glass layer because it was proof that Da Vinci was extremely skillfully to create such thin layers which even today, it is still a staggering achievement for the master painters.
- For paintings with thin glass layer overlaid, there must be an underneath platform of materials specially constructed to keep the painting in the long run?
That is right, the painting with the glass layers overlaid must have a base of gypsum + mastic compound. This compound was also used to paint the paiting “Last Supper” in the Santa Maria Dell Grazie, Milan, Italy.
- You have just mentioned about the painting “Last Supper” by Da Vinci in Italy. So, is there any difference between the painting “Last Supper” painted by Da Vinci in Italy with that owned by you?
Yes, the painting in Milan, Italy was recognized by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. At present, tourists and cultural activists who want to see it must register to order tickets before 60 days on the website of Santa Maria monastery with 8 euros per person. It shall be more expensive if you purchased tickets through the travel companies with 20 euros to view this painting only for 15 minutes. For your easy tracking, we call the painting “Last Supper” in Milan as “Last Supper in Milan” and the paining we are holding as “Last Supper – VN”. To protect “Last Supper – VN”, Da Vinci coated it with a transparent & thin layer of glass in order to keep the color from fading and scratching. Thus, “Last Supper – VN” looks still intact with oil blooming although it was painted about nearly 500 years ago. Until, the researchers have not understood how Leonardo Da Vinci did to coat the painting with the glass layer which needs 1800o to melt and how he did to coat these glass layers without being deformed .
- More details, Sir…
Although two paintings are similar in theme, it is difference in expression Da Vinci wanted to show. Namely, in the “Last Supper in Milan” – Da Vinci painted the images of Lord Jesus to inform to his apostles that "One of you will betray me". And it was true that one of his apostles in "separatist party" - Judah rejected God. This painting painted the Lord Jesus sitting in the middle, his left was 6 apostles and his right was also 6 position. Hands of Lord Jesus put on the table. For “Last Supper – VN” , Lord Jesus also sit in the middle of his apostles, however, his left was 5 apostles and his right was 7 apostles, his hands were not on the table as in “Last Supper in Milan” but Lord Jesus handed up to share bread and wine to the apostles sitting either side, Eucharist and Holy Orders was established to change bread and wine into his flesh and blood given to God’s father, and said: "Bread is meat of Lord; grape wine is a sacred bloodline offered by the God” as the sacred food to feed the disciples.
- Could you tell us a document which is easily searchable on paintings by Da Vinci owned by you ...
Okay. In 2011, researchers at National Gallery London published “Jill Dunkerton, Leonardo In verrochio’s workshop” with 530 pages which you can follow the link for reference: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/technical-bulletin/dunkerton2011 with 2 special pages wrote by Francesco Melzi- a disciple of Leonardo Da Vinci in 1540 which were extracted from the original copy made by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1490. On these pages, Da Vinci specified clearly about his technical process to make a unique pictures which he considered to be "eternal immortality." These paintings were made from ceramic foundation which was flat, enameled and pasted with very thin glass - thinner than human hair 50 times in size in order to be able to bend the glass but were still resistant from scratches and all impacts. Thus, it protects the painting from fading over time. Even, you can soak it into the water or put it on the fire without damages. The painting "eternal immortality" by Da Vinci were "missing" from long ago. So, it has been destroyed by war or any causes? Or that it is wandering somewhere? We believed that it is the picture which we are holding.
We hope that the truth is as exact as what the collector Nguyen Van Luong said.
The next section: How does the painting "eternal immortality" by Leonardo Da Vinci come to Viet Nam?
G.H
Notes:
Photo 1: “Last Supper” painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in Santa Maria Dell Grazie monastery in Milan (Italy).
Photo 2: “Last Supper” painted by Leonardo Da Vinci which is thought to be lost in Vietnam currently is owned by Nguyen Van Luong in Cai Be, Tien Giang Province (VN).
Photos 3 and 4: The two pages on the contents written by Da Vinci about the painting "eternal immortality" themed Last Supper - VN.
Photos 5 and 6: Cardinal Pham Minh Man and the Council of Bishops in Asia are gazing at the Last Supper (in the collection of Nguyen Van Luong) on the Christmas in 2012 at Ba Chuong Church (HCMC).
PART 2: HOW DOES THE PAINTING "THE LAST SUPPER" OF
LEONARDO DA VINCI REACHING VIETNAM ?
After years of seeking the truth about the painting “Last Supper” (Last supper) of Leonardo Da Vinci which is now in Vietnam, its owner, Mr. Nguyen Van Luong, had contact with cultural agencies for the first inspection ...
Inspection session about this painting in Tien Giang Museum dated 23.03.2005 was conducted by one Assessment Council of Vietnam Fine Arts Association including: 1. Aesthetics Dr. Phuong Trang, the Acting Chairman of the Association of Literature & Art of Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Secretary of Arts Association of Ho Chi Minh City. 2.Artist Thanh Chau: Former Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, General secretary of Arts Association of Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy President of Arts Association of Ho Chi Minh City. 3. Artist Do D**g: Member of Secretary Board of Arts Association of Ho Chi Minh City, former Head of Branch of Viet Nam Arts Association. All Parties conducted the inspection of the painting “Last Supper”-GH by Leonardo Da Vinci and concluded that:
- The picture size: 1.17m x 0.62m, 0,01m in thickness, weight of 8.5kg.
- This is the version of the painting "Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci. This painting is copied on over 0,01m thick plaster. Material covering this painting is a rough colorless transparent compound.
The painting was done from abroad. Time of painting this picture and time of reaching Viet Nam of this picture have not been determined”- (quoted Minutes).
Two important things mentioned by the Inspection Council should be repeated here: First, this painting was painted abroad; Second, the time reaching Viet Nam of this painting have not been determined.
Regarding to the first, we asked this question to Mr. Nguyen Van Luong on the occasion of visiting his house in Cai Be to see firsthand this painting on the October, 2016. We asked that “Which evidences for you to confirm that this picture was made from abroad?”. He said that “For only material as you know, we can realize “foreign elements” in the compound used to make the body of this picture. Main component of this compound is made from Spar Satin plaster found in Northern Italy. Thanks to these characteristics, this kind of plaster can make this picture become white milk to fill the background of the Last Supper - Milan which Da Vinci painted it at the Maria Dell Grazie monastery. It has also used in similar manner on the ceiling of the temple in Italy and it is also present on the body of the Last Supper - VN that I am holding here. Going deeper into the document about the background of the Renaissance paintings, we know that in Italy at that time, many artisans used this type of plaster for casting compound plates to provide to artists to create colored backgrounds for their pictures. At this point, I would note you the material characteristic which creates the special color of the Last Supper- VN by Da Vinci “.
As he spoke, he showed us the left bottom of the picture where the figure of St Bartholomew wearing blue and explained: "This was one of the 12 apostles painted by Da Vinci. Blue shirt was one of the natural colors originated from animals, plants, minerals. I can assure that the moss green jacket in this picture was taken from Sienne, Italy. The land of this land was moss green found in the works of Da Vinci such as the Mona Lisa for example. Not only characteristics of materials and colors as described above, "foreign elements" of this picture can be seen in many other angles on the topic, style, graphics and using the left hand to draw a picture of Da Vinci".
Then, Mr. Luong gave us a document related to what he said, quoting: "Going into the study style, we can see that the space where author painted this picture is the room built from brick. Behind the Jesus sitting is a closed window. Next to it is a bright round halo. Bright halo round in a circle because the circle is the symbol of the Da Vinci's painting style often seen in his paintings. In terms of art, painting contours are very rich and varied, the author showed lines of the clothes, the tablecloths in this painting. Scenes in this picture were shown in this painting from big to small ones, from bright light to dim light. The author was very successful in "far-near" method; This is a unique method to describe the typical space of Italian painting background. Viewers can also find links of the very soft, flexible borders which were drawn from right to left, this proves that Leonardo Da Vinci is lefties. When looking at the overall picture, it still shows a unified & reasonable perspective. This is particular style found in the paintings of this distinguished artist. "
Regarding to second thing, how does this painting reaching Viet Nam (Under the conclusion of the Inspection Council)?
- I know that in the second half of the 19th century, Emperor Napoleon occupied Italy and carried the spoils including some excellent paintings to France. Maybe at that historic moment, the Last Supper painting by Da Vinci come into the hands of the French senior officials, or kept by one competent officer at that time. Then spending times of ups and downs, this painting followed its owners to Viet Nam during the period when Vietnam was a colony of French. On early 1940-1960, my father, Nguyen Van Hanh opened grocery stores to sell antiques in Cai Lay, Cai Be. His customers were collectors coming from Sai Gon and Western provinces, Northern provinces, Central Provinces and even foreigners. Due to these multi-dimensional exchanges, my father bought a lot of antiques made of ceramic, porcelain originating from China, Thailand and even all the art works originating from Western countries, including the Last Supper painting which I am holding and is being inspected as you know.
When we asked him that why he did not bring this picture for sooner inspection but until 2005? He said that after 1975, the State had not promoted activities of private collectors as today, so he did not know whether it is nuisance to bring this picture to the public. I brought 136 potteries in the my father’s collection to give to the Museum of Tien Giang province and one money measurement ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty to Vietnam History Museum in Ho Chi Minh. The painting “Last Supper” was wrapped in a fabric sheet and buried carefully by me at the garden. In later times, when the State had more open policy on the cultural heritage protection, I got it out and learned more about the value as well as the contents of the Last Supper and then it got the inspection as you mentioned ".
After the inspection thereafter, Mr. Luong wanted to take this painting to the abroad for exhibition to listen ideas of Western researchers and public opinions. His intention was accepted by the Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Information in the Document No. 472/DSVH-DT signed by the Deputy Director Nguyen Quoc Hung. This document confirmed that this painting is the object of cultural products for export without a license of the Minister of Culture and Information and that this painting was eligible for moving to the foreign without a license of the Minister of Culture and Information. However, until now, over 10 years, Mr. Luong has not yet been qualified to bring this painting to the foreign for exhibition as he wished.
In Viet Nam, he has exhibited his painting in Da Minh church – Ba Chuong on Christmas Day of 2012 as mentioned in the previous period and received the attention and welcoming of Cardinal Oswald Gracias - Secretary General of the Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), the priest Michael Nguyen Van Bac – The Head of monastery, Chief of Da Minh- Ba Chuong parish, the priest Francis Xavier Dao Cong Hieu and many art researchers and art lovers. After that occasion, we went to see the priest Nguyen Huu Triet - Chief of Tan Sa Chau parish, Head of Archdiocese Culture, Ho Chi Minh City, he said that “"Last Supper Paintings by Nguyen Van Luong owns deep imprints in the history of Sacred Art. In my opinion, the painting needs more international inspection to promote it to the world. "
During the process of waiting, Mr. Nguyen Van Luong sent information about the Last Supper painting - VN to the National Commission for the Cultural Heritage of Italy and received a reply from President Silvano Vincenti: "Thank you for all the documents that you sent me. I apologize for no answer but I were filled with deep admiration ... “ .The Director of the Research Centre of California University, Los Angeles, one of leading experts in the research on Renaissance art and masterpieces of Leonardo Da Vinci - Carlo Pedretti responded " Thank you very much for sending the information together with your reasonable analysis on the Last Supper painting. It was interesting. Carlo Pedretti. " . Besides, there are quite a lot of different opinions of the other experts, including Martin Kemp - Professor Emeritus of Art History from the University of Oxford: "Hello. Thank you very much for what you sent to me together with your astute interpretation about the Last Supper painting. Obviously, this painting was derived from Leonardo Da Vinci. Martin Kemp ". Next to the above comments, , Director of Tourism Research and Development in Ha Noi, Ha Van Sieu Luong suggested him to contact with organizations which were professional and experienced in art conservation to put this painting on display and bring it to the field of tourism - culture ...
Anyway, until now, Mr. Luong is still cherished to offers this painting, Last Supper – VN to abroad to introduce and welcome the international appraisal opinions. Maybe, that day is coming near ...
G.H
BOX
Mr. Nguyen Van Luong analyzes the featured black on the picture of Leonardo Da Vinci - Last Supper - VN as follows: "Black is not black" “pure excellence " because when we illuminate with fluorescent rays of the computer on the black background of this painting, we can see 8 colors on dark markings: red, yellow, orange, blue, indigo, violet, blue and green. It is black which coincides with black type which were used by Leonardo Da Vinci to paint his famous works such as the Mona Lisa, St John the Baptist, for example. Mr.Naurizio Seracini – the Head of Research Team of the University of California, San Diego - said: "This is a characterized black used by Da Vinci and it was absolutely not in the works of other artists."
RE-WRITE FOR CLEAR UNDERSTANDING
In the previous part, on the SAV Journal No. 943 (20/10/2016)43 (10/20/2016), page 20, line 11, the author would like to revise the question as follows: "More details to say, sir?". We apologize and thanks for your reading.
Photo Notes:
1. Minutes of Inspection Board of Last Supper – VN painting.
2. The Document of the Cultural Heritage Department allowing the Last Supper – VN to go abroad for exhibition.
3. From right to left: Mr. Han Tan Quang (Editor of Journal SAV) and Nguyen Van Luong standing beside the Last Supper – VN painting (10.2016).
4. Moss green with the soil material of Sienne region (shirt color of apostles in the Last Supper - VN)
5. Featured Black in the painting “Last Supper – VN” by Leonardo Da Vinci.
