Featured Polynesian Semi Nude Portrait

Any chance to read the signature?

 

The signature means nothing. These were produced in large quantities in Japan in the sixties for consumption by US servicemen.

 

She IS quite lovely and well done nonetheless.

 

This is an Indonesian painting of a Balinese girl. The dress, melati flowers and large earplugs are classic Balinese. The earplugs were worn till ca 1945, but this could have been painted later, my guess is 1960s.
When I was in Bali ca 1970 you could still see girls dressed like this.
These portraits were made a lot by Javanese and Balinese artists, inspired by the colonial 'Mooi Indië' school of painting. Ever since it was safe to go to Bali (they used to be notorious kidnappers/slave traders), painters came looking for what they called 'natural nudes', girls who didn't have the western idea that modesty was connected with covering the upper body.
Although these later paintings were usually well executed, the signature is not really relevant.
These were made for both the domestic and tourist market, there were no US servicemen in Indonesia.

This style was their inspiration- 'Mooi Indië' (Beautiful Indonesia) school, 'Portrait of a Balinese Woman' 1945, by the Dutch painter Willem Gerard Hofker:

 

I found this portrait of a Javanese girl in kebaya (Javanese blouse), painted in the same style as yours. There is some similarity in the signature:

 

And what do we think off these paintings ?

 

Surely not Han Snel?

 

Well the are by Han Snel and made in 1954

 

Nice. Even though they are early and not in his later, sought after, style, they should fetch a nice sum.
Han Snel family picture:

You wouldn't have any original Hofkers lying around?

 

No. Sold a lithograph by Hofker to his granddaughter not that long a go but that was the only one . The Balinese girl is a double painting so probably his wife on the backside painted .Made it a bit more to see with Photoshop . The wave lines are a camera fault

 

Yes, looks like his wife. And it is more in the style I know from Han Snel. I like the back better, but it is probably too faint, and he wanted to show the front.

I think I have her name somewhere, interested? Or do you know already?

 

Have her name and I am selling them for the last time I think on eBay now for what I think is a reasonably price for the two paintings together . But open for a proper offer as always

 

I usually go for paintings that have some connection with my or my husbands family. They are not Balinese, and were most likely trying to get away from those wild Balinese. They're from East Java and Madura.

 

Could erase the Bali from the paintings with a brush off paint ?

 

Oh yes, and if you could put in Madura.
But the girl doesn't look Madurese, this is a pretty girl, but Madurese women have either Indian/Arab influence in their looks, Chinese, or a mix of all. They are said to be the most beautiful of Indonesia.