200YEARS-010724 - Flipbook - Page 32
200 YEARS
JOURNEY
THROUGH
THAI
MODERN ART
HISTORY
photographs showcasing His Majesty9s handiwork became common, with
extensive photography activities at the royal court. King Rama V also
commissioned photographs of his portrait and those of the royal family, which
European artists used as references to create large oil paintings. The actual
clothing and accessories were sent to European artists for study to ensure
the accuracy of the depictions. Prominent artists who painted royal portraits
included John Marius Johansen, Theodore Schumacher, and Alexander Bassano
along with many others who did not sign their names on their works. Many
skilled European artists were also invited to work for the Siamese court. During
King Rama V9s first trip to Europe in 1897 and his second in 1907, he engaged
with many European painters and sculptors. He served as a model for these
artists, including Edoardo Gelli, Charles Auguste ƒmile Durand, and Michele
Gordigiani, and even hired skilled painters like Cesare Ferro Milone to work
at the royal court. These interactions with European artists and their studios
significantly influenced King Rama V. This influence was evident in the design
of the Royal Photography Shop for the Wat Benchamabophit event in 1904
and the photography contest for the same event in 1905. A pivotal aspect of
King Rama V9s two European tours was his commissioning European architects
to conceive various architectural undertakings. This gesture unequivocally
signaled his receptiveness towards European architectural influences, whether
from Italian or German artisans. Through these sojourns and the consequent
infusion of Western artistic and technological advancements into Siam, His
Majesty aimed to project an image of modernity and civilization to both the
domestic elite and the broader cultured nations. This careful curation served as
a bulwark against the encroaching specter of Western colonial subjugation. King
Rama V also supported Thai artists in learning European painting techniques.
For instance, Phra Soralak Likhit (Mui Chandralak accompanied him on both
European trips, studied drawing with Cesare Ferro, and later travelled to Italy to
study art. As a result, Phra Soralak Likhit became one of the artists who painted
beautiful portraits of King Rama V.
During the reign of King Rama VI, he was highly praised for his deep interest
in the arts. He was actively involved in drama, literature, and fine arts,
producing numerous literary works. His Majesty spearheaded the establishment
of the
