Indonesian School

(Early 20th century)
Indonesia tanah airku
Oil on canvas, 58 x 75.6 cm
Provenance:
Collection agricultural attaché of the Dutch embassy (1950's-1970's) in Indonesia, thence by descent to the present owner
Note:
This work was probably made by an Indonesian artist, such as Mas Pirngadi (1875-1936). Although it shows strong resemblances with the work of Wilhelm Christiaan Constant Bleckmann (1853-1942) and Elias Stark (1849-1933), who painted the Indonesian landscapes filled with sunlight and palm trees, this painting does not glorify reality. It depicts the patchy grass with a traditional cemetery to the left and the women wearing a hijab in the distance - showing the true Indonesia.