Raden Saleh

Indonesia's first internationally recognized Romanticist painter, celebrated for nationalist themes.

Raden Saleh (1811–1880) was a visionary painter who bridged Javanese traditions with European Romanticism. Born in Java, he was sent to study in Europe by the Dutch East India Company, becoming the first Asian artist to gain acclaim in Western art circles. His masterpiece "The Charging Bull" (1857), now at the National Museum of Indonesia, symbolizes Indonesia’s spirit against colonialism. Saleh’s works, such as "The Execution of Pangeran Diponegoro", blended dramatic landscapes and historical narratives to critique Dutch rule. He returned to Java in 1851, establishing a studio that trained local artists and promoted nationalist identity. Despite his elite status, he used his art to voice anti-colonial sentiments, earning him exiled status. Today, his legacy is explored in books like Raden Saleh: The First Modern Indonesian Painter and celebrated at Jakarta’s Raden Saleh Museum. His influence endures in contemporary Indonesian art movements advocating cultural sovereignty.