Willem Dooijewaard Balinese Man With His Fighting Rooster Signed

Christie's Amsterdam, 14 March 2005, Lot 197
Private Collection, The Netherlands

The work is in good condition overall, as is the canvas which is clear and taut. Upon close observation, very gentle networks of craquelures are visible on the bottom right quadrant. No restoration is found under ultraviolet light inspection. Framed.
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A true nomad at heart, Dutch-Indonesian artist Willem Dooijewaard followed in the footsteps of other travelling painters around the globe before he reached Indonesia in the forties. Dooijewaard’s oeuvre showed people caught up in activities that emphasized the everyday aspect of their lives. Adhering to the Dutch artistic traditions, the artist closely studied the person’s body posture, facial expression, and the details that would provide the viewers with a personal insight into the minds of the locals.

The present lot entitled Balinese Man with his Fighting Rooster shows a man on his way to retrieving his fighting rooster in preparation for the traditional cockerel fight. As one of the most popular recreational activities in Southeast Asia, chicken fights were considered as a masculine activity. Stylistically it can be said that the present work bears traits of the French Impressionists. The visible brushwork and colours create an optical vibrancy, accompanying the artist’s portrayal of light and shadows, once again demonstrating his Dutch origin and creative legacy. Unaware of the painter’s existence, Dooijewaard captures the raw emotions of the people he chooses to paint. By reconnecting with the unspoiled civilization of Indonesia through painting, the artist established a sense of authenticity in the paintings, while documenting a world that was very different from his own.