VINTAGE PAINTING by INDONESIAN CHRISTIAN ARTIST -HENK NGANTUNG- NUDE JAKARTA OLD
This is for an original ink and watercolor on paper by the prolific Southeast Asian and Christian artist Henk Ngantung signed and dated lower left, titled lower right. This was last framed in Jakarta, Indonesia. If you are not familiar with the artist this piece is a rare sight outside of the art auction house/dealer circuit. The image area is 23″ x 17.5″. The artwork is in great condition. The framing has overall wear. If you are in the U.S. consider shipping this without the frame to eliminate the risk of the glass breaking and ruining the piece. This will ship for free either way. Just let me know. ***This ships internationally without the framing. Wiki: (1927-1991) Henk Ngantung was an Indonesian autodidact painter and politician of Minahasan descent. He was appointed Deputy Governor by President Sukarno and then became the Governor of Jakarta of minority briefly between 1964 and 1965, the first Christian of the Catholic faith to hold this important post in predominantly Muslim Indonesia. Henk Ngantung was born in the Minahasa heartland of North Sulawesi province in the capital city of Manado to a poor family. Henk was an autodidact painter without any formal education. Together with Chairil Anwar and Asrul Sani, he co-founded the Indonesian artistic movement Gelanggang (meaning the arena). He was also member of the China-Indonesia Friendship from 1955 to 1958. Henk Ngantung was married to Hetty Evelyn «Evie» Mamesah and they had four children, Maya Ngantung, Genie Ngantung, Kamang Ngantung and Karno Ngantung. He became Deputy governor of Jakarta during the reign of governor Soemarno Sosroatmodjo. President Sukarno entrusted him to turn Jakarta into a city of culture based on his work as an artist. After holding the post of deputy governor from 1960 to 1964, he succeeded Soemarno Sosroatmodjo as governor of Jakarta but very briefly from 1964–1965 before Soemarno Sosroatmodjo took the position again briefly until 1966. His appointment was vehemently opposed for his left-wing ideology with some opponents accusing him of being a communist. From 1965 onwards he consecrated his life to the arts. He lived in poverty, suffered bad health and developed heart disease and glaucoma. He lost eyesight completely in his right eye, and just 30% vision in the left eye but continued painting with great difficulty. In 1990 the Indonesian businessman and philanthropist Ciputra sponsored Henk Ngantung’s one and only official exhibition just a month before his death on 12 December 1991. His portrait of Brigadier John Mellsop(1907–1980), painted in Java in 1946, is in the collection of the National Army Museum, London. Today his works are offered at both Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses when they aren’t being held in private collections. *If you are new to fine art note that the famous ‘brand name’ painters are just that, brand names. They have all been hyped to a great extent. Great original art is actually very affordable. This is what fine art actually costs. Over time it all increases in value. The majority of all fine art was made by great old masters who aren’t international brand names. The famous names aren’t any better than anyone else. Free shipping in the U.S. If there’s a problem let me know and I’ll work with you. My work keeps me away often so to be safe, handling time to get this shipped out is 1 week. BIDDER SPECIFICS: This has to do with ensuring that new or infrequent buyers have a good experience. If you have less than 20 feedback or had a bad experience in the past 12 months please contact me first. If your feedback is private/hidden please contact me. If you have any questions please just ask. SHIPPING ADDRESS: I can only send your item to the registered shipping address at time of payment.