Artists from the Vietnam National Academy of Music perform "Little Thuy’s Minuet". (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

The oil painting "Little Thuy" was created by Tran Van Can in Hanoi in 1943. It is a portrait of his niece, 8-year-old girl Nguyen Minh Thuy. The masterpiece, one of the best portraits of Vietnamese contemporary fine arts, was recognized as a National Treasure in 2013.

“We have received many art works donated by organizations and individuals. But this is the first time the donation has been a musical work. In 2000 when musician Paul Zetter saw the painting ‘Little Thuy’ by chance, he was extremely impressed by the innocent eyes of a little Vietnamese girl, which inspired him to write ‘Little Thuy’s Minuet’. It will be used in the museum’s digital platforms and concert programs,” Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh, Director of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, said.

The painting "Little Thuy" impresses viewers with the girl’s open black eyes, looking straight at them. The girl sits to the left of the painting, her hands clasped on her lap with a timid and innocent look. The graceful dark brown curves of the rattan chair creates a balance in the painting’s composition.

The reception ceremony for “Little Thuy’s Minuet”composition (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

With the support of People’s Artist Ngo Hoang Quan, Zetter's composition was arranged for a chamber music group and was first performed at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts.

‘Little Thuy's Minuet’ visualizes the painting ‘Little Thuy.’ The musical work portrays the beauty and the soul of Vietnamese women. We are really touched and would like to thank Paul Zetter for his work,” painter Luong Xuan Doan, President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, said.