Attibuted to Paddy Compass Namatbara circa 1890-1973

Bears the name ‘Midjau Midjau’ on the reverse

Acquired at Minjilang (Croker Island) by Lance Bennett, circa 1966
The Thomas Vroom Collection, The Netherlands

There is a significant crack in the bark towards the top right hand corner and further areas of missing bark and fraying along the upper edges. Some areas of pigment loss on the face of the facing right figure, smaller areas of pigment loss in places throughout the painting, though remaining pigments appear in good and stable condition. There are some areas of what appears to be white house paint in the upper left register and the upper right corner, and other minor scuffs and scratches in places. There is some pigment on the right facing figure's head which appears unstable and may benefit from consolidation. The painting has also been treated with some kind of fixative, not long after it was produced, which gives the surface a slightly shiny appearance.
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This painting was documented by Lance Bennett as being by Yirawala (circa 1905-1976), and it is possible that it was sold to him by this artist. However, it has been attributed to Namatbara, who painted in the company of both Yirawala and Midjau Midjau at Minjilang in the mid 1960s.

Lance Bennett’s accompanying documentation reads in part, “this work depicts, two djid’ngug spirits fighting over a woman spirit. He described a djid’ngug as a long-limbed spirit which lives in caves in the rock country. It has long thin arms and long weak double-jointed legs. During the wet season the djid’ngug does not venture out its cave, fearing that its legs will become tangled in the long grass and dense growth.”