Trng Nguyn Vinh Quy Bi T
Chut mang l (c) n biu mo c ch Miu thu l (Mo nhu l)
Chut mang biu Khm Mng (vng lnh nh vua)
Ba Trng i kiu pha sau

Ðng H woodblock printing has existed since the 1700's. For hundred of years, the village of Ðng H which is located outside of Hanoi, produces the popular decorative paintings that are used especially for the Têt (New Year) holidays and other celebrated festivals throughout the year. The Ðng H painting is well recognizable with its folk subject, its picture painted in bold outline with warm and vibrant colors.

Woodblock printing has always been a familial craft passed on for generations of artist in the Ðng H village. Each year after the rice harvest, all members of the family pitch in the production of the paintings for sale at the Têt. Adults and children, depending on skills and capabilities, share the work from making the silk paper to printing and coloring the paintings. The production of a painting starts with a design pattern that is engraved on the woodblock. The first print is made on silk paper using a paste of finely ground sea shell. Successive presses are then made to add different colors to the picture. All colors used in the Ðông Hô` painting are natural ingredients such as charcoal for black color, ochre for red, yams for brown, and day lilies for yellow.

The most common subjects of Ðng H painting are folk themes depicting ordinary daily life or domestic animals that live around the peasants such as rooster, hen and chicklets, pig and piglets. Other favorite subjects are scenes from popular legends or historical tales of national heroes and heroines of the past such as the Trung sisters, Trieu Thi Trinh, young king Ðinh Bo Linh playing battlefield (c lau tp trn).

left to right:
Hng da
Lo Oa ging c
Triu Th Trinh
Tr em
G


Minh Bui
References: Ky Thuât va M y Thuât Tranh Môc Ban Viêt Nam