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A rare gem emerges from the family collection of Pn. Zoebaidah, daughter of Dato’ Mohd. Hoessein Enas, Royal Portrait Painter and one of Malaysia’s foremost figurative artists. Lauded for his realistic portraits, Two Sisters is an elegant rendering of his young granddaughters Pn. Susielawati and Pn. Tina Sarie who were at the time 18 and 14 years of age respectively. This painting clearly shows Enas’ natural flair for capturing the light on their delicate features and every detail of their dress and semblance. The jewellery and elegant baju kebaya and expensive settee reflect the better life they had compared to Enas’ early days when he even had to eke a living as a trishaw peddler in Singapore.

The provenance comes with his notation in his own handwriting, ‘Untuk Susie, Dengan segala Doa Restu, Semoga Berjaya diatas segala Cita-cita mu - dari kakek’ (translated as “Dear Susie, with blessings, wish you all the best and success in life - from your grandfather”).

Born in Bogor, Indonesia, Enas migrated to Singapore in 1945 and became a citizen of the Federation of Malaya in 1956. He formed Angkatan Pelukis Semenanjung (The Peninsular Artists Force) in 1956. He won a UNESCO Fellowship and an Asia Foundation Grant for a year study tour round the world to observe art development. He was honoured by the National Art Gallery in 1966 with a retrospective exhibition. In 1990, he was conferred the title of Royal Portrait Painter by Sultan of Selangor. Hoessein Enas is widely acclaimed as the Father of Malaysian Portrait painting.