Kings and key figures of the Nguyen dynasty (1802 – 1945), the country’s last monarchy reign, are highlighted at the art exhibit which is running in Ho Chi Minh City until Jan 3, 2014.

The exhibit, going on at Craig Thomas Gallery, 27i Tran Nhat Duat, district 1, showcases the vivid, realistic portraits of several Nguyen kings, who still attract mixed opinions regarding their contributions to the country so far.

One of them is King Duy Tan (1900 – 1945), the dynasty’s 11th king. He was enthroned as early as 8 years old. Despite his tender age, he was aware that he was only a puppet emperor. In 1916, he and some other court officials called upon people to rise up against the French colonial domination. The rebellion failed due to betrayal, and all of them were captured by the French troops. He was deposed by the French and was exiled to La Réunion island together with his father, King Thanh Thai.

Other personalities are Queen Nam Phuong, the high-profile wife of King Bao Dai - the country’s last king, and high-ranking Nguyen court official Phan Thanh Gian (1796 – 1867), who took his own life after the French invader occupied three southern provinces.

The portrait collection’s author, artist Tran Minh Tam, said he began collecting used items such as wooden beds and partitions and research on the Nguyen dynasty simultaneously in 2008. The idea of depicting the historical figures on the used objects crossed his mind then.

Tam’s portraits are based mostly on the archive photos and descriptions in documents. The artist explained that his works are mainly created to revive the values which may well fall into oblivion.

Tam’s use of traditional lacquer and oil materials which the French people brought to Vietnam during their colonization dozens of years ago is also metaphoric of the Nguyen dynasty and its turbulent historical period.