I Gusti Nyoman Lempad (1862-1978)

An erotic scene

indistinctly signed I Gusti Nyoman Lempad / Ubud Bali' (lower right).
A second signature is on the original passe-partout of the drawing (now hidden underneath the new passe-partout).
Note that the signature on Lempad drawings is done by one of his children.

Indian ink and grey wash on paper, 23,5x31,5 cm

Provenance:
-Auction, Hargesheimer & Günther Kunstauktionen Düsseldorf, 15 September 2012, lot 1944 where acquired by the present owner.

Lempad is known to have produced many erotic drawings, beginning in the 1930s with the arrival of Western tourism, and continuing through at least the late 1950s. He depicted sexual acts of every imaginable kind. These could well have been derived from Kamasutra texts or commissioned by prominent visitors from areas of the world where depictions of this kind were not allowed. Lempad skillfully and candidly depicted these erotic scenes, along with the emotional facial expressions of the participants. This drawing depicts a rather acrobatic act of intercourse: the man is holding the woman’s left leg over his shoulder, while her right leg is pushing against his hip. Her left hand is pulling his hair either in the heat of passion or signaling an unwanted aggression. The man’s face shows determination, the woman’s conveys intense emotion. This display of emotion is a trademark of Lempad.

Peter Soemantri Widagdo

We wish to thank Mr Peter Soemantri Widagdo for authenticating this drawing.