Understanding the Evolution of the Image of Women in Vietnamese Silk Paintings

This study investigates the evolution of women’s representation in Vietnamese silk paintings across three historical phases: traditional (1925–1954), modern (1955–1986), and contemporary (1986–present). The aim is to elucidate how artistic transformations reflect broader social and cultural change. Employing a qualitative approach that integrates visual analysis and in—depth interviews with artists and scholars, the research examines fifteen representative artworks to reveal shifts in composition, color palette, technique, and iconography. In the traditional period, female figures symbolized rural virtue, maternal devotion, and harmony with nature, reflecting the agrarian foundation of Vietnamese society. The modern period introduced greater diversity and individual expression as women were depicted in urban and industrial settings, embodying social progress and national reconstruction. The contemporary period, emerging after the Đổi Mới reforms, marked a profound redefinition of femininity through abstraction, surrealism, and mixed media, portraying women as autonomous, multifaceted, and globally engaged figures. The analysis highlights how silk painting evolved from a medium of cultural preservation into a dynamic form of artistic dialogue between tradition and modernity. The findings underscore that meaning in these artworks resides not only in gendered representation but also in the cultural landscapes and societal contexts that frame them. By situating artistic evolution within Vietnam’s socio historical trajectory, the study contributes to understanding the interrelation between art, gender, and cultural identity, while identifying the transitional period of 1975–1986 as a crucial yet underexplored phase in the development of Vietnamese silk painting.