I Wayan Lotra 1987 Original Balinese Painting | TRG Fine Art

Description

Large 1987 Original Balinese Pastel Painting by I Wayan Lotra (36.5″ x 31″) – Finely Carved Vintage Frame.

A magnificent, exhibition-scale painting by the mid-century Balinese master I Wayan Lotra (Indonesian, 20th Century). Dated 1987 and signed by the artist with traditional location information on verso (Batubulan, Bali), this piece represents a highly desirable, mature example of late 20th-century Balinese modernism.

This artwork is heavily reminiscent of the classic, romantic aesthetics of the legendary Dutch painter Willem Gerard Hofker (W.G. Hofker), who lived and painted in Bali during the 1930s and 1940s. Like Hofker, Lotra possessed a sharp technique for capturing the delicate features and graceful posture of his subjects. He worked extensively with pastels on paper, pencils, and ink/pen.  Lotra’s portfolio prominently features intimate, elegant, and often monochromatic portraits capturing traditional life, spirituality, and people in Bali.  Minor frame imperfections noted.

The Subject & Narrative:
Unlike standard static portraits of the era, this dynamic genre scene captures an intimate moment of cultural preservation. It depicts a traditional, topless Balinese woman finely focused on the art of anyam ketupat—the ritual weaving of split coconut leaves into pocket containers used to cook and serve rice during sacred Hindu ceremonies (such as Galungan). Lotra’s delicate blending of soft watercolor washes with crisp, illustrative pastel strokes perfectly captures the warmth, textures, and serene focus of the weaver.

Scale & Presentation:
Measuring an impressive 36.5″ x 31″ (including the frame), this artwork is significantly larger than Lotra’s typical sketchbook-sized market offerings. It comes beautifully housed in its original, heavy, hand-carved Balinese wooden frame, featuring deep-relief floral and geometric regional motifs that make the entire presentation a standalone statement piece.

Specifications:
Artist: I Wayan Lotra (Sign/Dated lower corner: “I W. Lotra, Batubulan, Bali, 1987”)
Medium: Pastel on Paper
Year: 1987
Dimensions: Approx. 36.5″ H x 31″ W (Framed)
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The pastel pigments remain remarkably vibrant with no signs of fading. The paper is flat and securely set. The vintage hand-carved frame is sturdy with a rich, aged patina and minimal wear consistent with age.  Under close magnification (loupe inspection), the artwork exhibits a fine, tight pattern of natural age craquelure consistent with 1980s mixed-media works. Minor frame imperfections noted (see image).