Affandi is renowned for his unprecedented technique and his dynamic and gestural painting style. The artist did not employ conventional f👍orms of brushwork or tools, but instead made intimate contact with his canvases – opting to use his fingers and palms to smear paint applied directly from tube to surface. Each stroke is permeated with his most innate emotions, ultimately creating a highly expressionistic composition.

Resting Man is a profound work that precisely captures the essence of Affandi’s innovative explorations. The painting was completed in 1966, which was during 𒀰the pinnacle of the artist’s creative streak after spending five years in India and Europe. During these years abroad, Affandi had the opportunity to hold multiple solo exhibitions and most importantly, was able to witness firsthand the works of prominent European artists during that time. Amongst them, he found himself aligning ideals with artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner; the artist was fond of the way these artists encompassed reflections of the inner human psyche and their liberal use of colors to convey cognitive themes of his chosen subject matters.

As the title suggests, the present lot is a stylistic rendering of a man lying horizontally across the width of the canvas. The predominantly green painting bears resemblance to Reclining Nude, an iconic painting of a red nude that was painted in the same year the present work. The meandering figure has his back facing away from the viewer, curled up into slight fetal position with his limbs held close to his body. The figure also appears to be cradling, possibly, a pillow close to his face and body. Affandi captures the atmosphere of a languid slumber, the man depicted in a comfortable and secure position. Furthermore, the brilliant hues of green and yellow establishes an aura of relaxation and tranquility; it was characteristic of Affandi to boldly employ striking, unnatural colors for the sole purpose of commanding distinct emotions and moods within his works. Despite the dramatic nature of his markings on canvas, Resting Man is a testament to Affandi’s immaculate dexterity in controlling his medium and technique in fashioning a harmonious composition. The wavy, visceral brushstrokes that construct the curvatures of the somnolent man protrude from the work’s surface. Resting Man stands as a t𒊎estament to Affandi’s passion for depicting subjects that moved him with a sense of spontaneity and sincerity so quintessential to the artist.

^[1] Sardjana Sum🍷ichan cited In Affandi Volume Ii, Bina Lestari Budaya Foundation and Singapore Art Museum, 2007, p. 𝓀43