Biography

Born in Amsterdam in 1902, Willem Gerard Hofker received formal training at the Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague and the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. His early talent was recognized with a second prize at the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1924, launching his reputation as a skilled draughtsman and painter. Hofker shared both life and art with his wife, fellow artist Maria Rueter, and in 1938 the couple moved to Ubud, Bali, where they immersed themselves in the island’s rich cultural life. Celebrated for capturing both the grace and spirit of Balinese life, Hofker remained devoted to his artistic exploration until his death in 1981.