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View all search resultsAn enlightening walk into the past
Hero in pictures: Art critic Jim Supangkat explains one of the paintings on the struggle of Prince Diponegoro against Dutch colonial rule in an exhibition at the National Gallery, Jakarta, on Sunday
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H
em>Hero in pictures: Art critic Jim Supangkat explains one of the paintings on the struggle of Prince Diponegoro against Dutch colonial rule in an exhibition at the National Gallery, Jakarta, on Sunday. The exhibition will last until March 8. JP/P.J. Leo
Raden Saleh's masterpiece Penangkapan Pangeran Diponegoro (The Arrest of Prince Diponegoro) is again available to the public in a refreshing all-about-the-prince exhibition.
The exhibition ' called 'Aku Diponegoro: Sang Pangeran Dalam Ingatan Bangsa, dari Raden Saleh hingga Kini', or 'A Prince for All Seasons: Diponegoro in the Memory of the Nation, from Raden Saleh to the Present' ' is being held at the National Gallery in Jakarta until March 8.
The display is a sequel to the successful 'Raden Saleh and the Beginning of Modern Indonesian Painting' exhibition, held at the same venue in 2012, which attracted about 20,000 visitors in just two weeks.
Since the exhibition opened on Feb. 6, it has drawn many visitors.
This time, however, the exhibition focuses on the heroic figure of Diponegoro, who is believed to be among the few actors who fueled nationalist sentiments against colonialism and feudalism before Indonesia existed.
'Aku Diponegoro' revisits an extraordinary story of the Javanese prince, who lived from 1785 to 1855, as presented through the eyes of classical painters and contemporary artists, as well as the general public.
The exhibition is curated by German researcher Werner Kraus, who studies Raden Saleh; British researcher Peter Carey, who studies Diponegoro; and renowned Indonesian art critic Jim Supangkat.
Jim said that Raden Saleh's paintings often carried hidden criticism.
Citing an example, he said the Arrest painting revealed valuable messages, which made the painting an important artifact for the world.
The painting, which was created in 1856 and 1857, criticizes the arrest tactics Dutch colonialists used to detain Diponegoro. At the same time, the criticism uncovers a foul painting about the arrest, which is entitled The Submission of Prince Dipo Negoro to General De Kock, by Dutch artist Nicolaas Pieneman.
'[The painting] carries layers [of hidden messages] that show Raden Saleh's opposing stance against the arrest,' said Jim.
One of the layers, for example, is the absence of spears in the hands of Diponegoro's troops. Meanwhile, Pieneman portrayed the opposite.
'Diponegoro was arrested during the Ramadan fasting month. No one carried weaponry during Ramadan,' explained Jim.
The exhibition is divided into three sections ' each representing a different approach to Diponegoro.
The first section, called 'Diponegoro in the Mouth of Indonesian History: The Making of a Hero', focuses on Indonesian art works that have the prince as their topic.
The highlight is the newly-restored Arrest painting by Raden Saleh, which is complemented by around 20 portraits of Diponegoro by reputable Indonesian artists such as Soedjono Abdullah, Basuki Abdullah and Harijadi Sumodidjojo.
The next section, 'Diponegoro, Raden and History in the Eyes of Indonesian Artists', gives the opportunity to a number of contemporary Indonesian artists, like Srihadi Soedarsono, Heri Dono and Nasirun, to present their own contemporary approaches to the figure of Diponegoro.
The last section, 'Diponegoro Unlimited', displays items connected to Diponegoro, including photographs, woodcuts, playing cards, comic books, political posters and bank notes.
In this way, the exhibition challenges common traditions of art reception and is also designed to inspire public discussion about the nature of art in post-modern Indonesia.
An additional room, which is considered as an heirloom room, is provided to display Diponegoro personal artifacts, such as his pike and battle saddle.
'[The exhibition] is basically a display of [mostly] paintings, but it actually bears an identity for Indonesia,' said Carey.
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At a glance
As part of its educational role, the exhibition is also provided with a free virtual audio guide, which gives information on the exhibited items. The vocal guide is available for download on PlayStore and AppStore.
The exhibition also offers a series of fringe events, including guided tours with curators, such as on Feb. 21 and in March, as well as workshops on restoration with Susanne Erhards.
For more information, please visit akudiponegoro.com.
