VietNamNet Bridge – A collection of 46 etching of the series Disaster of War by the world famous Spanish artist Francisco de Goya y Lucientes is on display at an exhibition in the Fine Arts Museum of Viet Nam in Ha Noi.

Libertad! The Same, which depicts Spanish civilians attacking and killing French soldiers with knives and axes, is among the Disasters of War series on display at the exhibition.

Guggenheim said he was pleased to be able to donate these stirring prints, which belong to his private collection, to the museum. These graphic comments show Spain’s struggle for liberation against Napoleon’s troops.

During his first visit to Viet Nam several years ago as a delegate of UNESCO several years ago, Guggenheim has visited many hospitals and learnt about the suffering caused by war.

“Because Disaster of War deal with human suffering and the consequences of war, I felt it appropriate for me to donate some of these prints to the Fine Arts Museum of Viet Nam,” the 84-year old elaborated.

“Art must be shared by as many as people as possible, and should not be kept hidden by any individual.”

In addition, he felt the Fine Arts Museum of Viet Nam would provide a wonderful context for the Goya prints as Vietnamese artists have traditionally been primarily concerned with their own nation’s struggles for independence. Goya’s Disaster of War shares the same pre-occupation.

“I donate these works in the hope that young Vietnamese artists will find in these etchings, something of human value, spirit and reason.

These are messages that only great art can communicate across the centuries, unlimited by language or the boundaries of our own cultures,” he added.

According to Dr Guggenheim, a number of 124 prints were created from each etching of the series. However, about 100 prints were damaged during War World II, and the prints on display at the exhibition are among the remaining 24 copies left in the world.

These prints provide a context for viewing Goya, which can help viewers understand Goya and his fight on behalf of the belief in reason during the period known at the Enlightenment in Europe.

This was also the main topic of his talk at the Goethe Institute in Ha Noi yesterday.

The Art in Times of War exhibition, also depicts 37 pieces by Vietnamese modern graphic artists in a separate area.

Although these Vietnamese pieces were created by different artists during the revolution against French colonialism and the American War, they all share a common theme: the struggle for liberation in Viet Nam.

Co-organised by the Fine Arts Museum of Viet Nam, and the US and the Spanish Embassies, the exhibition runs until November 15 at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ha Noi.

(Source: Viet Nam News)