LookAtVietnam – A sophisticated fresco featuring five dragons looming in a cloud burst, which is recognised by the Viet Nam Guinness Book as the “oldest and biggest fresco in Viet Nam”, is being threatened by mould and dampness.

Mouldy oldy: The oldest and biggest fresco in Viet Nam, Dragons Unite with Clouds, is being threatened by mould and dampness.

The 10.6m-long and 10.55m-wide fresco was painted by artist Phan Van Tanh, whose artistic works appeared in many of Hue’s royal houses. His skilful golden hands earned him numerous praises from King Bao Dai (1913-97).

Tanh also painted large frescos on the ceiling and walls of the Thien Dinh Palace, which are recognised by modern painters as the “most valuable artistic examples of Vietnamese painting”.

According to Venerable Thich Hai Duc from the Dieu De Pagoda, in addition to the fresco on the pagoda’s ceiling, Tanh also painted four dragons curving around four of the pagoda’s pillars. However, a big part of the ceiling fresco was damaged during the American War.

“Along with historical and artistic values, the fresco contains religious value as well. It plays a significant role in the religious life of Hue people in particular and of Vietnamese people in general,” Duc said.

Built in 1844, the Dieu De Pagoda is one of the three largest pagodas in Hue. Rounding out the top three are the Thien Mu and Thanh Duyen pagodas.

King Thieu Tri (1807-1847) ranked the pagoda as one of the top 20 most famous landscapes in the imperial city of Hue at that time.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News