The popularity of art during the pandemic has surged and the development of online auction platforms by auction houses has had an immediate impact -- recent local and international art auction results have proved that art collecting is still a refuge in times of crisis. 

Just over 20 years ago, the Larasati auctioneers held their first auction in Jakarta, and the regional auction house’s reputation has improved for auctioning rare and emerging Indonesian art.

Larasati continues to provide opportunities to Indonesian, Balinese and Southeast Asian art markets with their digital platforms, being the first in Indonesia to adopt the online auction.

Larasati’s upcoming sale, Traditional, Modern and Contemporary Art, a live auction of artworks to be held in Jakarta on July 25 at 2:30 p.m., is available for inspection -- the preview online virtual exhibition open on July 16-25.

The sale of 28 lots is an international affair, with artists hailing from throughout Indonesia, Singapore, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States. 

Works available will suit the tastes and budgets of beginner, intermediate and advanced collectors. At the same time, the mediums and variety of art include works in Conté crayons on paper, pencil sketches on paper, etchings, lithographs, pastels on paper, gouache on paper, mixed media paintings on paper, acrylic and oil paintings on canvas and two earthenware creations.

Some of the noted artists included are Dutchmen Willem Gerard Hofker (1902-1981) and Rudolf Bonnet (1895-1978); Italian Emilio Ambron (1905-1996); French artist Lea Lafugie (1890-1972); Singaporean Teng Nee Cheong (1951-2003); the Balinese modern maestro Nyoman (1944-2017); and other Indonesians Basuki Abdullah (1915-1993), Fadjar Sidik (1930-2004) and Dede Eri Supria (b. 1956).

The passing of I Wayan Bendi on July 15 July this year (1950-2020) is an enormous loss to the Balinese art community. From an important lineage of the renowned Batuan School of Painting, his father Wayan Taweng (1922-2004) learned directly from one of the original Balinese art innovators, Nyoman Ngendon (1906-1946).

Lot 816 Barong Putih, acrylic on canvas picture, 82 by 130 cm, is an example of the second signature style of the Batuan school, the Miniaturist School of the 1970s, in which Bendi excelled in. The work comes with an estimated value of between Rp 22 million (US$1,487) to Rp 28 million and is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity from the artist.

For new buyers wishing to start a collection the following works are recommended: Lot 806 Balinese Djanger, 1941 is a stunning and scarce 30 by 23 cm lithograph published in the United States in 1941 by the American artist Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003) that has an estimated value of Rp 8-11 million. Work by noted Dutch artists Auke Sonnega (1910-1963) rarely come onto the market. Lot 802 TNI Soldier, 1950 is a 40 by 29 cm Conte on paper study of an Indonesian soldier which has an estimated price of between Rp 7-10 million. The work is included in ‘Auke Sonnega - Artist of the Enchanting Tropics’, by Didier Hamel, Hexart Publishing, Jakarta, October 2011.

Intermediate collectors take note of the following works: Lot 821 Three Dancers, 1998, a vibrant 145 by 145 cm oil on canvas composition by Nyoman Gunarsa (1944-2017) which has an estimated value of between Rp 80-100 million, and Lot 822 a gorgeous mixed media on paper, glued on board, depicting the sky reflected in flooded rice fields, Balinese Rice Fields in Sanur, 1983 by Arie Smit comes with an estimated price of between Rp 35-45 million.

Two rare finds available during this sale are by I Gusti Made Mangku Baret (1920-2012), the younger brother of I Gusti Ketut Kobot (1917-1999), the leading painter of the Pengosekan School, a branch of the famous Ubud School of Painting. Lot 813 & 814, both titled Bali Offering, are 67 by 51 cm acrylic on canvas works, one painted in 1985 and the other in 1984 with estimated values of between Rp 12-15 million. An early oil painting of a Balinese priest praying by Indonesian artists Huang Fong (b.1936), Lot 820, Pemangku Sedang Mebakti 1977, has an estimated price of between Rp 8-11 million. If purchased within the estimated prices, all of these works offer excellent buying value.

The connoisseurs will favor the following works, Lot 823 Balinese Village, 1991, by Arie Smit, mixed media on paper glued on board with the dimensions 26 by 38 cm, has an estimated value of between Rp 55-75 million, and the picture on the cover of the digital catalogue Lot 828 by the noted Indonesian painter, born in 1955 in Surabaya Arifien Nief, who cites some of his influences as the masters Picasso, Matisse and Affandi. Arifien’s The Flutist, 1993, the last lot for sale, is a 45 by 40 cm oil on canvas composition highlighted by distinct coloration and the distorted figure comes with an estimated price of between Rp 38-48 million.

Potential buyers bidding over the phone, absentee bidders or real-time internet bidders are advised to contact Larasati and inquire about the color reproduction accuracy of the images contained within the online catalogue to ensure that what they wish to purchase can be realistically appraised. The absence of reference to the condition of a lot in the catalogue description does not imply that the lot is free from faults or imperfections, therefore condition reports of the works, outlining the paintings current state and whether it has repairs or over painting, are available upon request.

Provenance, the historical data of the works previous owner/s is also important and is provided. An information guide including before the auction, during the auction and after the auction details, including conditions of business, the bidding process, payment, storage and insurance, and shipping of the work is also available. A buyer's premium is payable by the buyer of each lot at rate of 22 percent of the hammer price of the lot.

The online catalogue, complete with a guide for prospective buyers is available to the public and should be studied carefully by all wishing to participate in this auction.

Do note that to comply with COVID19 pandemic regulations, there will be no "public" viewing days. Viewing will be on-line only, and Larasati will provide bidders with any information concerning the lots offered. However, it may be possible for bidders who have already registered for phone or on-line bids as well as those who have placed written/absentee bids to view the artworks physically by appointment.

Larasati can only provide a limited number of slots for physical viewing, and it will be based upon first come first serve basis. By appointment only "physical" viewing will not be available a day before auction day and on auction day.

Live bidding in this sale is available by phone or online on www.invaluable.com. (kes)

• Website: www.larasati.com
• Preview online virtual exhibition: July 16-25
• Online live streaming from Jakarta
• The auction begins at 2:30 p.m. on July 25

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