LOT 915
Apin, Mochtar
(1923 - 1995, Indonesian)
Women Under the Moon
painted in 1968
oil on canvas laid down on board
89.5 x 70 cm
signed and dated on lower right
S$ 6,700 - 8,700
US$ 5,259 - 6,829
Provenance:
- "Modern Discoveries", Sotheby's Hong Kong, 21 0 28 February 2023, lot #2021
- Private Collection, Asia
Pick up point: Jakarta
Women under the Moon
Mochtar Apin's Women under the Moon (1966) stands as a compelling testament to his mastery of form, colour, and psychological depth. Painted during a transformative era in Indonesian modern art, this oil-on-canvas work embraces the language of abstraction while maintaining a strong emotional and symbolic core. Apin, an influential figure of the Bandung School and a key proponent of universal humanism, renders this nocturnal tableau with striking chromatic intensity and compositional ambiguity, inviting the viewer into a charged, dreamlike encounter.
The composition presents a semi-abstracted female figure, centrally poised, her body enveloped in bold planes of violet, red, and indigo hues. Her arms are raised, suggesting a moment of intimate vulnerability or ritualistic gesture, while her form is stylized, almost sculptural. The moon, glowing in the upper left corner with pulsating shades of pink and blue, casts an otherworldly presence—at once observer and symbol. This celestial body becomes more than just a backdrop; it acts as a witness to the silent drama unfolding beneath it, lending the scene an atmosphere of mystique and timelessness.
Apin's technique here is deeply expressive. Layers of colour are not just applied—they are breathed into the canvas, with each stroke enhancing the emotional resonance. The contrast between the saturated figure and the dark, nearly opaque surroundings conveys both isolation and illumination. The darkness is not emptiness but a rich void from which form and meaning emerge, echoing existential concerns that occupied many modern artists of his generation.
Moreover, the work can be read as a meditation on femininity, solitude, and the metaphysical. The woman, standing partially nude yet faceless, embodies both vulnerability and strength. She is not objectified, but rather elevated—transcending identity to become a symbol of the human condition under the cosmic gaze. The interplay of concealment and revelation in the composition underscores Apin's sensitivity to both the physical and the spiritual dimensions of being.
Painted in 1966, at a time of political upheaval and shifting cultural identities in Indonesia, Women under the Moon can also be seen as a quiet act of introspection amidst chaos. Apin's internationalist sensibility—shaped by his studies in Europe and his philosophical embrace of modern humanism—is fully realized here. The painting transcends the local without abandoning it, offering a universal language through colour, form, and gesture.Women under the Moon is not merely a visual experience—it is a poetic invocation. With his masterful interplay of abstraction and emotion, Mochtar Apin gives us a haunting yet beautiful reflection of solitude, femininity, and the eternal dialogue between the human and the cosmic.
Condition Report
The painting is in good condition. The canvas is in plane, free of deformations and under adequate tension. Paint layers are intact and in stable condition. No retouching was detected under UV light examination. The painting is offered with frame.
Please note that this report has been compiled by Larasati staff based solely on their observation on the work. Larasati specialists are not professional conservators; thus the report should be treated only as an expression of opinion and not as a statement of fact. We suggest that you consult your own restorer for a more thorough report. We remind you again that all work is sold 'as is' and should be viewed personally by you or your professional adviser before the sale to assess its condition.
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