Raden Basoeki (Basuki) Abdullah (1915 - 1993) Indonesia. Charcoal on Paper. Measure 17"in H x 11 1/2"in W and 25 1/2"in H x 19"in W with frame. He started painting at age five years with simple drawings, and at age ten, he traveled to Surabaya and Bali where he started portrait painting. During 1933, he held his first exhibition in Bandung. He brought his painting to RMP. Sosrokartono, RA. Kartini's brother was very impressed by Basoeki's painting. Sosrokartono and Prince of Mangkunegoro VII became the persons who supported his painting career until Basoeki become a famous painter. During that time, he continued his study at Academia van Beeldende Kunsten in the Hague, the Netherlands. Basoeki Abdullah is one of the most prominent Indonesian masters in portrait painting. The late artist was well-known for his realistic paintings. Besides painting of natural beauty and sensuous landscape, he is also noted for his portraits of beautiful women, as well as paintings of scenes from legends that are also tempered with the same lyrical and overly sensual treatment. His great fondness of paintings women's figure perhaps derived from his great interest in exploring the beauty of women that is attractive to paint in any way. The artist gained wide public recognition after winning a painting competition held in conjunction with the Netherland's Queen Juliana ascension to throne on 6 September 1948. He was the brother of Raden Sudjono Abdullah.