The Lost Works Return Home: Emperor Hàm Nghi
The 14-year-old who became king
Hàm Nghi, an emperor forever in the hearts of the Vietnamese people for his unwavering patriotism, was only 14 years old when he ascended the throne, and just 15 when he rose up against the French colonialists with the famous Cần Vương (Save the King) movement. Although the uprising failed and he was captured two years later, his movement was more than enough to ignite the patriotism and courage of the entire Vietnamese nation.
The life of his exile in Algeria
After his capture, he was exiled to Algeria, where he married Marcelle Laloët and had three children. The granddaughter of one of these three children, Ms. Amandine Dabat, painstakingly collected and brought his works back home – the Kiến Trung Palace – for exhibition on March 24, 2025.
A passionate painter, he traveled to many places to seek mentorship, with teachers in Algeria and also in France, most notably Auguste Rodin, arguably the master of modern sculpture. He also associated with two famous French painters, Marius Reynaud and Georges Rochegrosse.
After a decade, the emperor's paintings depicting his homeland have finally returned to the place they portray. Along with them are photographs capturing memories throughout his life in Algeria and across Europe.
Below Picture : Emperor Hàm Nghi's great-granddaughter, Ms. Amandine Dabat, is presenting the journey of his paintings. Some were stored in museums located in Provence, France; some were auctioned off and belong to private art collectors; and others were passed down to his own grandchildren.
Last Picture :The gathering of Emperor Hàm Nghi's direct descendants
