Another Signature

Another good deal?
$170
https://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/JL-Datu-Native-Americans-On-Running-Horses-17651046.html

 

He was born Johannes Galenus Arensma. Can you explain the JL initials in the signature?
Also, he was an illustrator. He may have done paintings as well but can’t find any records of that.

 

Welcome to the forum, Tim.

About the confusing name:
Johannes Galenus Arensma is an extremely Dutch name, from the north of the Netherlands. Johannes is the same as John.
I found out he was born on Borneo, which has a Dutch and English colonial connection.
Datu could have been inserted as a title. In some parts of island Southeast Asia Datu means chief, in others it is the title for a Shaman.
A mixed name like John Datu Arensma would not be unusual in certain parts of the region. It could mean that he was seen as a reincarnation of an important historical Datu.
For example, when my husband's Dutch great-grandfather moved to East Java, the local population regarded him as the reincarnation of Hindu hero Antareya. Consequently he was called Raden (aristocratic title), followed by his Dutch surname. He was even allowed to marry into the local princely family.

 

In my opinion JL Datu is a different artist.