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Lot Essay
Willem Gerard Hofker painted and worked in Europe till 1938 and then lived in Bali from 1938 till 1944. Its for his works produced in Bali that he is better known for. He was greatly inspired by the essence of the Balinese in their daily activities, often depicting them in their festive ceremonial dress.
This Hofker portrait of Gusti Compian was executed in 1940 and is charmingly characteristic of his romantic rendering of other female Balinese figures. The soft light that he imbues this scene lends an air of almost mystical serenity while the figure of Gusti Compian is seemingly captured by at a moment when she is watching the artists with an innocent knowingness. She registers his presence but she is totally unaware that her beauty is the subject of Hofker's artistic pursuit. Hofker's relaxed handling of shade and light allow the form and tones of the young woman's body to be built up through an array of earth tones and careful studies.
This Hofker portrait of Gusti Compian was executed in 1940 and is charmingly characteristic of his romantic rendering of other female Balinese figures. The soft light that he imbues this scene lends an air of almost mystical serenity while the figure of Gusti Compian is seemingly captured by at a moment when she is watching the artists with an innocent knowingness. She registers his presence but she is totally unaware that her beauty is the subject of Hofker's artistic pursuit. Hofker's relaxed handling of shade and light allow the form and tones of the young woman's body to be built up through an array of earth tones and careful studies.