Balinese Art Treasures of the 1940s: The Rediscovery of a Collection

This publication offers a fascinating glimpse into a unique collection of modern Balinese art from the 1940s, a period marked by significant historical upheaval. Formed under difficult circumstances during the Japanese occupation and the Indonesian Revolution, this collection provides a valuable insight into the artistic landscape of Bali during this turbulent era. It features works by both renowned and lesser-known Balinese artists, many of whom were associated with the influential pre-war Pita Maha artists association.

Balinese Art Treasures of the 1940s showcases a range of artistic mediums, including paintings, woodcarvings, silver objects, decorative metalwork, and textiles.  The book not only highlights the artistic achievements of these 37 artists but also tells the remarkable story of the collection itself, from its formation in 1947 with the support of the State of East Indonesia to its exhibition in Amsterdam in 1948 and its subsequent preservation.

Publication Details:

• Authors: Francine Brinkgreve, David J. Stuart-Fox
• Publisher: Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the Netherlands, C. Zwartenkot Art Books (2019)
• Language: English
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Pagination: 136 pages
• Dimensions: 25.5 x 29 cm
• ISBN: 9789054500230

Condition:

• Book: Very Good. The covers show only light signs of shelf wear. There is a small, unobtrusive bump to the right corner. Internally, the pages are clean and bright with the exception of a few very faint and small spots, likely age-related, scattered within the text. The binding is sound and tight.
• Dust Jacket: Very Good. The dust jacket exhibits light general wear, commensurate with age. There is a gentle crease to the top right corner and along the top edge of the spine, where the jacket has been slightly bent. A tiny, short tear is present at the bottom right corner. The jacket's colors remain vibrant, and it provides good protection to the book.