Title from caption on object: “A Saigon Monk's Fiery Death”

June 11, 1970

Unknown 20th Century

Associated Names
Unknown, 20th Century

Artist

United Press International

Publisher

The image shows a group of men engaged in a ceremonial activity. The central figure is lying on the ground with a cloth covering them, while two men on either side hold the cloth. The men have shaved heads and wear long traditional garments. The background features more individuals dressed similarly and large containers or urns on a platform. The setting appears to be indoors, possibly in a temple or hall, with decorations such as urns or pot-like structures. The overall scene seems solemn and organized, indicating a formal or sacred gathering.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print with applied color

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mary and Dan Solomon

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet: 17.2 × 23.2 cm (6 3/4 × 9 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.177.555

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mary and Dan Solomon, Monarch Beach, CA; gift to NGA, 2018.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

retouching across recto in black ink and grey paint; on verso, upper center stamped in purple ink on applied newspaper perpendicular: JUN 11 1970; center left stamped in purple ink perpendicular: RECEIVED EXAMINER; center printed in black ink on applied newspaper perpendicular: [reproduction of image] / A Saigon Monk's Fiery Death / Buddhist monks [underlined in red pencil] of the Pho Quang Pagoda in a sub- / urb of Saigon are shown here as they cover the / charred body of Thich Thien Lai, 73, with a South / Vietnamese [circled in red pencil] flag. [by unknown hand in red pencil: South] Lai set himself afire at the pag[oda] / today and burned to death. Fellow monks said [he] / was depressed by the war and religious dispu[tes]. / --UPI Ph[oto]; by unknown hand, center right in red pencil: C; lower left stamped in brown ink: EXAMINER / SLUG: [by unknown hand in graphite: Monk] / SIZE [by unknown hand in graphite: 4 col x 5 / 1/4] / WHEN WANTED [by unknown hand in graphite: 1st / thurs] / DEPT. [by unknown hand in graphite: news]

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