Portrait of a Balinese Woman by Han Snel

This artwork is a figurative portrait typical of the Dutch-born artist Han Snel, who spent the majority of his life in Bali. The central piece features a stylized depiction of a Balinese woman in three-quarter view, rendered in a distinctive palette dominated by cool blues, soft purples, and muted grays. Snel's signature technical approach is evident in the dappled, mosaic-like background and the delicate, elongated features of the subject's face. The woman is depicted with dark hair pulled back in a traditional bun, with large expressive eyes that are a hallmark of Snel's mid-century aesthetic. The medium appears to be oil or acrylic on board or heavy paper, exhibiting a textured surface common in his later works. The painting is professionally housed in a large, tiered gilt frame with a textured champagne-colored matting that provides a substantial border. The frame shows minor surface dust but appears structurally sound with no significant losses to the gilding. Historically, Snel’s work bridged the gap between Western post-impressionism and Indonesian cultural subjects, often focusing on the grace and beauty of Balinese inhabitants. This piece likely dates from the 1960s or 1970s, representing his mature period of stylized tropical portraiture. The rhythmic application of color and the harmonious, dreamlike quality of the composition distinguish this as a characteristic example of his acclaimed body of work.