Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp was born July 27, 1874 in Amsterdam (Holland). His father was a wealthy trader whose ships sailed to the Moluccas for spices and other goods.

The young Nieuwenkamp expressed his aspiration to become an artist, much against his father's will, who rejected him. Nieuwenkamp tried to make a living selling illustrations and etchings.

In 1898 he set sail to Indonesia for the first time, working for a magazine. He visited Batavia, Yogyakarta and Bandung where he produced illustrations by the dozens. The Hotel Homan in Bandung even published a booklet of his sketches.

After a few years in Holland and Germany he returned to Indonesia in 1903 and settled in Bali. He immediately felt at home in Bali, which was at that time still unspoilt by tourism.

Marketplace, 1937 - drawing

Nieuwenkamp feared that the influence of western civilization would have a devastating effect on the Balinese culture and ceremonies. He started to draw as much as possible to try and preserve this fascinating culture in his works.

He returned to Europe and published his works about Bali in a book. It became a success and he returned to gather notes and sketches for a second book. The success of his book also made other artists curious about Bali and many followed his example and headed off to this unspoilt paradise.

From 1926 he settles in Florence with his wife, but he returns to Asia many times. In 1937 he visits Bali for the last time. This visit results in the book "Architecture and Sculpturing in Bali" in 1947. He dies in Florence in 1950.