Johan Hendrik Pootjes (1882-1944). Collection of Indonesian paintings and drawings

Pootjes's private collection of his own paintings and drawings in various media and sizes (largest 32 x 42 cm.), 1920s and early 1930s, mostly monogrammed or signed, altogether ± 100 pieces.

Johan Hendrik Pootjes was not only a prolific painter and drawing artist, but also vice president of the Nederlandsch Oost-Indische Escompto Maatschappij, one of the three largest banks in the Dutch East Indies. He was also an excellent athlete in various disciplines. This collection shows Pootjes as an artist skilled in (lively) townscapes, landscapes and other scenes. Pootjes exhibited for the Kunstkring Bandoeng in 1926 and at the Rijksmuseum in 1942. This collection includes a panel with still life, with on reverse mounted invitations for 2 other exhibitions of Johan Pootjes: "Oostersche reisschetsen", 11 May to 31 May 1940 at the Victoria-hotel in Amsterdam. With a typed card dated 22 May 1940, alerting Pootjes that the hotel is to be cleared "daar de Duitsche soldaten daar komen. Wilt U dus maatregelen nemen dat alles Zaterdag weg is. (...) Wie had ooit kunnen denken dat Uwe tentoonstelling op een dergelijke tragische wyze zou eindigen." (signed by L.D. Petit). Also a card for the exhibition "Met pen en penseel door Den Oost" (Java, Sumatra and Bali), April 1941, "eene causerie met kleurige aquarellen en tekeningen door den heer Joh. H. Pootjes." The works incl. the following captions: "Samarinda Oct. '26"; "Dansmeisje Den Passar Bali"; "Raksasa (tempelwachter) Bali"; "Straatje Medan"; "Poortje in Djokja"; "De Makakam Samarinda, oct. 26"; "Ragtime. Vrij naar C.J. Maks"; "Moeara Aman Pridjang Lebong 2/1 '26"; "Kampong Sindanglenko Garoet"; "Oud-Batavia"; "Strand te Benkoelen 30/12 '25"; "Malakadji Tjikono (Celebes) 4 dec. '25"; "Reeds 's morgens vroeg de hand aan de ploeg". (total ± 100)