Until 1950, the normal dress style in Bali was for women not to cover their upper body and breasts. Their beauty inspired many photographers and painters. The spread of their wonderful work made exotic Bali famous and stimulated the flow of tourists to the enchanting Island of the Gods.

The famous Dutch painter Willem Gerard Hofker lived in Bali in the period 1938 – 1943, most of the time in Ubud. In this overview we alternate his romantic artworks of Balinese women with photos of them, mostly in daily situations.

See also part 1 of Balinese women before 1950: their natural dress style in daily life and art. There you will find more artists and photographers and their imagination of Balinese women.