Paintings

Basoeki Abdullah is one of the later proponents of the Mooie Indies School (Beautiful Indies) preferring the depictions of the natural beauty and sensuality drawn from the Indonesian landscepe. He is also noted for his portraits of beautiful women, aws well as paintings of scenes from legends that are also tempered with the same lyrical and overly sensual treatment.

The late artist was well-known for his realistic paintings. The artist shot to fame after winning a painting competition held in conjunction with the Netherland's Queen Juliana ascension to throne on 6 September 1948. He defeated 87 painters from Europe to won the glory.

A former palace painter, he had painted portraits of many important people, including the then Indonesian President Soekarno, Indonesian Vice President Adam Malik, etc. In an effort to introduce his works to the masses, Basoeki Abdullah held numerous exhibitions in and outside Indonesia. This made him one of the most respected artists in Indonesia.

Besides painting, he had also collected arts and watches. Basoeki died at age 78. He was shot dead after a robbery at his Jakarta home.