Two Balinese Dancers

Legong Dancers (Lot 3395) and Two Balinese Dancers (Lot 3393) represent the essence of the life of Balinese people. Every Balinese dance is deeply rooted in the local culture and every single move of the dance speaks of Balinese tradition. The two lots portray the Legong dance that is believed to have originated in the 19th century as a royal entertainment. The inspiration of the dance came to a Balinese prince in his dream after which he asked for the dance to be re-enacted in reality. The elaborate Legong dance shows the viewers a glimpse of the vibrant life of the Balinese. The scarlet pigment engulfing the background of Legong Dancers enhances the sensuality and energy of the dancers while the cool hues dominating Two Balinese Dancers' background speaks of the other side of the dancer: poised and elegant. The unblended brushstrokes that Srihadi uses voices out staccato rhythms which successfully capture the melody of gamelan (traditional Indonesian orchestra) and the movement of the dancers. All in all, Srihadi did not paint the two pictures to be appreciated in terms of their aesthetic but instead as embodiments of the vitality and dynamism of the dance form itself.