There is no trace of the paintings that vanished three years ago, butNguyen Van Nhan's works can be seen in the nation's first book onceremonial costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty released last week.

ResearcherTran Dinh Son's Dai Le Phuc Viet Nam Thoi Nguyen (Vietnamese CeremonialClothes under Nguyen Dynasty) (1802-1945) is divided into four parts:historical documents on Nguyen Dynasty costumes; photos of painterNguyen Van Nhan's 54 works on ceremonial costumes at the An Nam Court;an index in French with illustrations of costumes for civil and militarymandarins; and a picture collection of the dynasty's emperors, queenand courtiers.

Nhan's paintings are said to offer the mostsystematic and detailed picfures of costumes worn during the reigns ofthe Nguyen Dynasty - from the emperor, prince, princess, consorts, civiland military mandarins, to the uniform of royal music bands andservants.

The paintings were taken overseas and eventuallyauctioned by Eric Chaim Kline Bookseller, Santa Monica, California in2011. Their current whereabouts are not known.

A Hue native, Son is a well-know researcher of ancient Vietnam's culture and art.

Hisprevious books include Nhung Net Dan Thanh (Exquisite Brushstrokes) andThuong Ngoan Do Su Kieu Thoi Nguyen (1802-1945) (Appreciating theCustom-made Pattern Porcelains During the Nguyen Dynasty).-VNA