Ba Nyan
Encyclopedia
Ba Nyan was a Burmese painter who has been called the greatest name in modern painting in Myanmar
. His oil paintings were quiet and academic in their style, but display occasional flashes of virtuosity in bold brushstrokes and skillful handling of the medium.
in 1897. He displayed his talent for painting at an early age, and for four years studied the skills of applying color and painting traditional motifs under Po Maung. He was noticed by the Maubin district officer who persuaded the government to support him in studying at the Norman School in Mawlamyaing under Saya Ba Lwin. He was then appointed assistant drawing master at the Yangon High School.
, founded in 1913, assisted in the development of Burmese artists, and in 1921 helped him go to the Royal College of Art
in London
. Later he moved to the Yellow Door Fine Arts School, where he received personal instruction from the artist Frank Spenlove-Spenlove
1867-1933. He returned in 1925 full of enthusiasm about western oil painting techniques, and began depicting the Burmese countryside in the style of conservative British landscape artists. In 1928 he went back to London, staying until June 1930. On this visit, he became acquainted with the artist Frank Brangwyn
and the head of the Royal Art Academy, Sir William Rothenstein, who helped him to take part in art exhibitions.
He also met king George V
in person, after he had saved one of the king's relatives from drowning. Returning to Burma, with a growing reputation he was able to mount one-man art exhibitions and received various commissions from the government and from wealthy patrons.
In 1935 he married Sein Khaing. In 1939 he became principal of the Art School for Myanmar students. In 1944, during the Japanese occupation
, Ba Nyan led a group of artists that opened an Institute of Art, becoming the principal of the academy with Ba Kyi
and San Win
as instructors.
During this period, the war-time prime minister of Burma, U Ba Maw
, traveled to Japan on official business and presented two of Ba Nyan's paintings to Kuniaki Koiso
, the Japanese Prime Minister, and a third painting, a landscape of the Shwedagon Pagoda, entitled "Night of the Shwedagon", to Emperor Hirohito
.
By those who saw the last painting, it was considered one of Ba Nyan's most powerful works. Presumably, it is still in the Collection of the Japanese Imperial Household.
Ba Nyan died on 12 October 1945, shortly after the end of World War II
.
, and Aung Khin
, in that order, although Myat Kyaw's period of study with Ba Nyan was short. As Myat Kyaw's interest in painting was in the commercial rather than fine-art vein, Ba Nyan sent Myat Kyaw for further study to Ngwe Gaing
, whose interest in the early years was in commercial work. Thein Han, Ba Kyi
, and Aung Khin
became major painters of Burma, and Myat Kyaw, if not a major painter of Burma, became a major figure and force in the Burmese painting community. Ngwe Gaing
and Bogalay Kyaw Hlaing studied with Ba Nyan on an ad hoc basis; but there is no question that Ngwe Gaing's three or four years of studying with Ba Nyan on weekends had a large influence on Ngwe Gaing, who became regarded as the leading painter in Burma after Ba Nyan died. Aung Soe
also received some exposure to Ba Nyan while both of them were at the Institute of Art during the Japanese occupation period (above), but Aung Soe was very young then, barely 20, and their time together at the Academy was very short. As Aung Soe's path as an intensely modernist (abstract) painter, or as a painter in the Traditional mode, shows no clear influence of Ba Nyan, it is strictly speculation to wonder of the effects Ba Nyan may have had on Aung Soe.
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
. His oil paintings were quiet and academic in their style, but display occasional flashes of virtuosity in bold brushstrokes and skillful handling of the medium.
Early life
Ba Nyan was the fourth of six children, born in PantanawPantanaw
Pantanaw is a town in the Ayeyarwady Region of south-west Myanmar. It is the seat of the Pantanaw Township in the Maubin District. It is the hometown of former United Nations Secretary-General U Thant and of the renowned artist U Ba Nyan....
in 1897. He displayed his talent for painting at an early age, and for four years studied the skills of applying color and painting traditional motifs under Po Maung. He was noticed by the Maubin district officer who persuaded the government to support him in studying at the Norman School in Mawlamyaing under Saya Ba Lwin. He was then appointed assistant drawing master at the Yangon High School.
Success
The Burma Art ClubBurma Art Club
Burma Art Club or BAC was a prestigious art institution in Rangoon , Burma which was established in 1913 or 1914 or even 1918 according to various sources. The club was located on the premises of the Rangoon Government High School...
, founded in 1913, assisted in the development of Burmese artists, and in 1921 helped him go to the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Later he moved to the Yellow Door Fine Arts School, where he received personal instruction from the artist Frank Spenlove-Spenlove
Frank Spenlove-Spenlove
Frank Spenlove-Spenlove was an English landscape and figure painter, although born in Stirling, Scotland.-Life and work:Spenlove-Spenlove painted in both oils and watercolour, and was a member of the Royal College of Art , Royal Society of British Artists , Royal Institution and the Royal...
1867-1933. He returned in 1925 full of enthusiasm about western oil painting techniques, and began depicting the Burmese countryside in the style of conservative British landscape artists. In 1928 he went back to London, staying until June 1930. On this visit, he became acquainted with the artist Frank Brangwyn
Frank Brangwyn
Sir Frank William Brangwyn RA RWS RBA was an Anglo-Welsh artist, painter, water colourist, virtuoso engraver and illustrator, and progressive designer.- Biography :...
and the head of the Royal Art Academy, Sir William Rothenstein, who helped him to take part in art exhibitions.
He also met king George V
George V
George V was king of the United Kingdom and its dominions from 1910 to 1936.George V or similar terms may also refer to:-People:* George V of Georgia * George V of Imereti * George V of Hanover...
in person, after he had saved one of the king's relatives from drowning. Returning to Burma, with a growing reputation he was able to mount one-man art exhibitions and received various commissions from the government and from wealthy patrons.
In 1935 he married Sein Khaing. In 1939 he became principal of the Art School for Myanmar students. In 1944, during the Japanese occupation
Japanese occupation of Burma
The Japanese occupation of Burma refers to the period between 1942 and 1945 during World War II, when Burma was a part of the Empire of Japan. The Japanese had assisted formation of the Burma Independence Army, and trained the Thirty Comrades, who were the founders of the modern Armed Forces...
, Ba Nyan led a group of artists that opened an Institute of Art, becoming the principal of the academy with Ba Kyi
Ba Kyi
Ba Kyi, FRSA was a well-known and prolific Burmese artist. He was initially trained in western painting, but in the post-WWII independence period, he initiated a revivial of Traditional painting, borrowing from the Western training he had received as well as his own cultural heritage of painting...
and San Win
San Win
San Win was a painter who is renowned in Burma as the first Burmese painter to embrace impressionism as his chief style of depiction...
as instructors.
During this period, the war-time prime minister of Burma, U Ba Maw
Ba Maw
Dr. Ba Maw was a Burmese political leader, active during the interwar and World War II period.-Early life and education:Ba Maw was born in Maubin. Ba Maw came from a distinguished family of mixed Mon-Burmese parentage which bred many scholars and lawyers...
, traveled to Japan on official business and presented two of Ba Nyan's paintings to Kuniaki Koiso
Kuniaki Koiso
- Notes :...
, the Japanese Prime Minister, and a third painting, a landscape of the Shwedagon Pagoda, entitled "Night of the Shwedagon", to Emperor Hirohito
Hirohito
, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to...
.
By those who saw the last painting, it was considered one of Ba Nyan's most powerful works. Presumably, it is still in the Collection of the Japanese Imperial Household.
Ba Nyan died on 12 October 1945, shortly after the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Legacy
Ba Nyan played a key role in introducing western techniques to Myanmar artists. He also had a significant influence on the manner in which teaching was handed down in Burma for he retained the master-apprentice form of instruction, which had always been a feature of the older more Traditional schools of painting in Burma. Ba Nyan taught six pupils full-time who lived with him in his home: Aye Maung, Thein Han (Painter), Thein Tan, Myat Kyaw, Ba KyiBa Kyi
Ba Kyi, FRSA was a well-known and prolific Burmese artist. He was initially trained in western painting, but in the post-WWII independence period, he initiated a revivial of Traditional painting, borrowing from the Western training he had received as well as his own cultural heritage of painting...
, and Aung Khin
Aung Khin
Aung Khin was a Burmese painter who became prominent in the Mandalay art world. He is well-known as one of the foremost and earliest of modernistic painters in Burma.-Training, Memberships, and Associations:...
, in that order, although Myat Kyaw's period of study with Ba Nyan was short. As Myat Kyaw's interest in painting was in the commercial rather than fine-art vein, Ba Nyan sent Myat Kyaw for further study to Ngwe Gaing
Ngwe Gaing
Ngwe Gaing was a Burmese artist who worked in both oil and watercolor. After the death of his teacher Ba Nyan, he was recognized as the greatest living painter in Myanmar. He had great influence on the next generation of artists, and his works are now highly sought after.-Life:Of Burmese Chinese...
, whose interest in the early years was in commercial work. Thein Han, Ba Kyi
Ba Kyi
Ba Kyi, FRSA was a well-known and prolific Burmese artist. He was initially trained in western painting, but in the post-WWII independence period, he initiated a revivial of Traditional painting, borrowing from the Western training he had received as well as his own cultural heritage of painting...
, and Aung Khin
Aung Khin
Aung Khin was a Burmese painter who became prominent in the Mandalay art world. He is well-known as one of the foremost and earliest of modernistic painters in Burma.-Training, Memberships, and Associations:...
became major painters of Burma, and Myat Kyaw, if not a major painter of Burma, became a major figure and force in the Burmese painting community. Ngwe Gaing
Ngwe Gaing
Ngwe Gaing was a Burmese artist who worked in both oil and watercolor. After the death of his teacher Ba Nyan, he was recognized as the greatest living painter in Myanmar. He had great influence on the next generation of artists, and his works are now highly sought after.-Life:Of Burmese Chinese...
and Bogalay Kyaw Hlaing studied with Ba Nyan on an ad hoc basis; but there is no question that Ngwe Gaing's three or four years of studying with Ba Nyan on weekends had a large influence on Ngwe Gaing, who became regarded as the leading painter in Burma after Ba Nyan died. Aung Soe
Aung Soe
-Further reading:* -External links:* - Online exhibition, writings, and bibliography...
also received some exposure to Ba Nyan while both of them were at the Institute of Art during the Japanese occupation period (above), but Aung Soe was very young then, barely 20, and their time together at the Academy was very short. As Aung Soe's path as an intensely modernist (abstract) painter, or as a painter in the Traditional mode, shows no clear influence of Ba Nyan, it is strictly speculation to wonder of the effects Ba Nyan may have had on Aung Soe.
Collections
- National Museum of MyanmarNational Museum of MyanmarThe National Museum of Myanmar, , located in Dagon, Yangon, is the main museum of Burmese art, history and culture in Myanmar. Founded in 1952, the five-story museum has an extensive collection of ancient artifacts, ornaments, works of art, inscriptions and historic memorabilia, related to history,...
- Collection of the Japanese Imperial Household
- Singapore Art MuseumSingapore Art MuseumThe Singapore Art Museum contains the national art collection of Singapore. It has a collection of 7,750 pieces of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, and has an expanding collection of new Asian and international contemporary art.- History :Officially opened in 1996, it...
See also
- Ngwe GaingNgwe GaingNgwe Gaing was a Burmese artist who worked in both oil and watercolor. After the death of his teacher Ba Nyan, he was recognized as the greatest living painter in Myanmar. He had great influence on the next generation of artists, and his works are now highly sought after.-Life:Of Burmese Chinese...
- San WinSan WinSan Win was a painter who is renowned in Burma as the first Burmese painter to embrace impressionism as his chief style of depiction...
- Ba KyiBa KyiBa Kyi, FRSA was a well-known and prolific Burmese artist. He was initially trained in western painting, but in the post-WWII independence period, he initiated a revivial of Traditional painting, borrowing from the Western training he had received as well as his own cultural heritage of painting...
- Aung KhinAung KhinAung Khin was a Burmese painter who became prominent in the Mandalay art world. He is well-known as one of the foremost and earliest of modernistic painters in Burma.-Training, Memberships, and Associations:...
- Thein Han (painter)Thein Han (painter)Thein Han was a major Yangon painter of the post-World War II era who produced a number of memorable works and who had an abiding influence on the evolution of the more conservative painting styles in Burma in the decades that followed...
- Bogalay Kyaw HlaingKyaw HlaingBogalay Kyaw Hlaing was a Burmese artist. Due to his mastery of the technique of painting clouds, he was sometimes also called "Cloudy Kyaw Hlaing".-Early Life:...
- Frank Spenlove-SpenloveFrank Spenlove-SpenloveFrank Spenlove-Spenlove was an English landscape and figure painter, although born in Stirling, Scotland.-Life and work:Spenlove-Spenlove painted in both oils and watercolour, and was a member of the Royal College of Art , Royal Society of British Artists , Royal Institution and the Royal...
- Frank BrangwynFrank BrangwynSir Frank William Brangwyn RA RWS RBA was an Anglo-Welsh artist, painter, water colourist, virtuoso engraver and illustrator, and progressive designer.- Biography :...