General Huỳnh Văn Nghệ (Version 2) - “Let us go to the North, / To visit the land of Lac Hong’s descendants. / Since I took up the sword and went South, / The Southern sky yearns for Thang Long…” These are the four brilliant opening verses of the poem "Missing the North" by Huỳnh Văn Nghệ. Huỳnh Văn Nghệ, whom the Southern people often called General Huỳnh Văn Nghệ, was born in 1914 in Biên Hòa province (now part of Bắc Tân Uyên district, Bình Dương). He was one of the most talented military leaders in the resistance war against the French in Eastern Nam Bo. He was the founder and commander of the 10th Biên Hòa National Guard, the first revolutionary armed force of the province. He was also a talented poet with many famous poems about War Zone D and the resistance against the French, of which the poem "Missing the North" is one of the most representative. This painting by artist Mai Van Nhon is based on a photograph of him taken in War Zone D. In the painting, General Huỳnh Văn Nghệ sits on horseback, carrying a rifle on his back and a sword in his hand, majestically heading South while his head is still looking towards the North, just like in his poetry. Artist Mai Van Nhon has depicted the General using the mosaic technique with renowned Bien Hoa ceramics, his hometown. Each small ceramic piece, after being fired at high temperatures in a kiln, reveals a rich range of colors and shades. These pieces are carefully selected, cut into various shapes and sizes, and meticulously placed in each position and detail, creating a unique and one-of-a-kind work of art. Contact us to own a stunning art print of this artwork to give as a gift or decorate your own space!