勒邁耶

The work is in overall good condition. The paper is free of foxing and tears. Minor signs of wear around the edges, but this is only visible upon close examination. Under ultraviolet light inspection there are no signs of restoration. Framed, under plexiglass.
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As a painter from Belgium, Le Mayeur was absolutely fascinated by Bali and having stayed there for a few months, he decided to stay there for the rest of his life.  It was in this very place where he built up his fame as an impressionist oil painter of Balinese subjects.  He was highly admired for his use of lush colours and thick brushstrokes in his paintings.  The present work Two Weaversis a gentle divorce from the artist’s favored medium for it is a work on paper, and may be seen as a visual study of a specific subject before being conceptualized as a painting. 

What remains typical of Le Mayeur’s style is his choice of the subject matter –Women, engaging in traditional Balinese activities such as weaving as shown in this painting, or Legong dancing in his other works. He particularly liked the strong, sensuous physique and adored the graceful demeanour of Balinese women.  Both women in the painting are casually posed, fixating on weaving in front of their looms. 

The focus of this work is naturally drawn to the woman in the front as she is shown in much greater detail.  Her body is defined by definitive black lines, with occasional white marks highlighting her profile.  The features on her face are also drawn with strong clean lines. The artist has applied different shading for the upper and lower lips too. However it is the women’s hands that are the focal point of the work, better to accentuate their presence at the loom. As a study work, Two Weavers provides valuable insight into Le Mayeur’s creative process to create his paintings— the Impressionistic, sun-dappled, vibrant and landscapes of his paradise – Bali.