Description:

Basar
Indonesian, (1901-1990)
mountain landscape with rice paddy
watercolor on paper
Signed lower left.

Biography from the Archives of askART: Basar is known for painting. He was active and lived in Java formerly known as the Dutch West Indies. He painted in the Mooi Indie style (Dutch for "Beautiful Indies")

Basar was born in Bandung West Java in 1901, and grew up among a very artistic environment. His elder brothers Suwardja ( a famous watercolor painter ) and Adiwinata were both also artist painter by profession.

Basar seriously learned painting at the age of 17 under the guidance of his brother Suwardja and sometimes also obtained advice and guidelines from Abdullah Soeriosoebroto (a famous landscape painter) who was living in Sumedang, a small town not far away from Bandung.

In 1925 Basar moved to Jakarta where he soon became a most accomplished panoramic painter and was highly appreciated by the foreigners and the well to do colonial citizens. His paintings were collected by many Europeans and some were brought overseas as a souvenier to remember the beauty of the fabulous Eastern world they have ever visited.

Basar enjoyed a good life from the sales of his paintings, which therefore enabled him to ocasionally travel around Java and Sumatra in order to study and observe the fantastic scenery of his beloved country.

On the contrary his works were sometimes negatively criticised by some nationalistic artists as following the "Mooi Indie" ( Beautiful Indies) style. They considered that this style was merely commercial art creations pioneered by the Dutch artists that exploy the beauty if this country in order just to please the desire of the rich colonial citizen to decorate their homes. The critics also said that the 'Mooi Indie' style of paintings showed as if this country is a prosperous paradise whereas in facts there are so much sufferings of the Indonesian people under the pressure of colonialism. Basar never paid attention to these negative comments as he considered that art should be separated from politics.

Through all his creative life time Basar consistently held out in his original classic naturalistic style as he confidently believed that depicting the genuine beauty of his country's panoramic land and sea scenes - reflecting the calm and peaceful mood of it's modest rural life, giving a sense of joy and happiness to anyone who viewed it , would also be a kind of dedication that he could devote as an artist to deeply esteem his beloved motherland.

Submitted by Andres Harnisch of Andres Harnisch Brokerage, Inc.
Art, Antiques, Jewelry & Collectibles

  • Dimensions: 9 1/2"H x 14 1/2"W (Sight), 17 1/4"H x 22 3/4"W (Mat)
  • Medium: watercolor on paper

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