Dullah’s Realism

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[slideshow]

 

 

 

Dullah’s Realism

We feature in this auction the works of Dullah (Solo, Central Java, 1919-1996), an artist who was appointed to be President Sukarno’s official painter in the 1950s. The four paintings in the auction (lots #180-183) date from 1959 to 1982, when the artist was at his best.

The two earlier paintings come from the private  collection of a family who actively collected in the 1950s and 1960s. The Portrait of a Boy (lot #182) dating from 1959, is a realistic and frank depiction of a young boy, whose facial gestures express his look of concern. The Landscape (lot #182) is a slightly later painting (dated 1964), but still shows the nuance of Dullah’s early landscapes, which are rather impressionistic in style.

The latter paintings, both dated 1982, come from the private collection of a family who was active in the 1970s and 1980s. The Figure of a Grandmother (lot #181) and Balinese Dancer (lot #183) both who a more polished realism, typical of the artist’s mature style. Although quite sophisticated, Dullah’s realism never developed into a photographic realism devoid of human imperfections.

From time to time, Dullah’s realism continues to present an intimate human touch, that seems familiar to his audience.