Jules Chin A Foeng – A Hidden Gem in the Jungle

Jules Chin A Foeng – A Hidden Gem in the Jungle

Sometimes, the most remarkable discoveries happen in the most unexpected places. While browsing a vintage store, I came across this expressive oil painting on panel for just €1.50 — and what a treasure it turned out to be.

The work is signed J. Chin A Foeng in the lower right corner — twice, in fact — and again on the reverse. It's also dated 1960 on both sides. The scene depicts two humble houses nestled among lush tropical greenery, likely somewhere in the Surinamese jungle. The brushwork is bold and intuitive, with atmospheric contrast between light and shadow. It immediately caught my eye.

After further research and expert consultation, the artist was confirmed to be Jules Chin A Foeng , a Surinamese painter born in Paramaribo . A prodigious talent, Chin A Foeng won several international drawing competitions as a teenager. He went on to study at the Academy of Visual Arts in Tilburg and later at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. After returning to Suriname, he played a key role in shaping arts education, even founding a full-fledged art academy in Paramaribo in 1981. Tragically, he passed away just a few years later, at the age of 39.

Very few of his works appear on the market, and comparable pieces are rare. Interestingly, this painting seems to closely resemble a drawing titled "My House" , which he made at age 15 for a drawing competition. — further suggesting this is an early piece, likely created before his formal training.

This is not just a painting — it's a story of talent, cultural heritage, and a life devoted to art and education. That I found it tucked away in a corner of a vintage shop for less than the price of a cup of coffee still amazes me.

What a find.