Basuki Abdullah, The Naturalism and Romanticism Painter from Indonesia
Madam Teresa by B. Abdullah & The Link to the Foundation
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Who is Basuki Abdullah?
Taken from Wikipedia, Javadesindo, and Basuki Abdullah ORG, Freely Translated : Basuki Abdullah was born on January 25, 1915, from his father named Abdullah Suryo Subroto who was also a painter and his mother named Raden Nganten Ngadisah. He got his talent as a painter from his father. From older generation, his family are famous as important persons who involved in struggling for Indonesia Independency. His Grandfather named Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, who was considered as important person in the Indonesia National Awareness Movement in 1900. Since he was four years old, he had already started to paint. He started his formal education at HIS (Hollands Inlandsche Scool) Catholic, followed by MULO (Meer Ultgebried Lager Onderwijs) Catholic in Solo, Central Java. In 1933, He got help from Pastor Koch SJ to get scholarship at Academie Voor Beeldende Kunsten (Fine Art Academy) in Den Haag, Netherland. He finished his study there in two year and two month, graduated with honour and awarded with the Royal International of Art (RIA) Certificate. He also took many classes and doing comparison studies with many Art schools or colleges in Paris and Rome during that time. He was famous as one of Naturalism and Romanticism Painter Maestro from Indonesia. He was appointed and in charged as Formal Painter in Jakarta “Merdeka” Palace, Indonesia. His paintings are exhibited in the Presidential or “Merdeka” Palace (Museum) in Jakarta until now. Besides that, his paintings are also collected by many people around the world. |
In 1939, Basuki Abdullah held a Roadshow within Indonesia. Before the roadshow, his paintings could only be enjoyed by oversea fans. Because of that reason, he brought his paintings, so that Indonesia people (local fans) could enjoy them too through exhibitions. The roadshow was covering Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Medan. He received many criticism and praises at the same time. Through the roadshow, besides getting recognitions, he hoped that he would have new inspirations.
In 1942, He joined the Poetra (Poesat Tenaga Rakyat), an organization which was founded by the Japanese Government in Indonesia. In this organization, Basuki Abdullah got the tasks to teach Visual Art – Painting. There were several painters who were his students, such as : Kusnadi (who was famous as Art Criticus) and Zaini (who was famous as Painter). Besides he was active in Poetra, he was also involved in Bunka Sdhojo (Culture Centre which was owned by Japanese Government in Indonesia) with Affandi, S Soedjojono, Otto Djaja, and Basoeki Resobowo. During Indonesia Independency, Basuki Abdullah and his wife Maya Michel were in Europe. During that time, he was actively holding many exhibitions in Netherland and England. The exhibitions were held in these places, as follows : the Netherlands Merdag Museum (1945), and exhibitions in Bristol, England (1946) as well as Apeldoorn, Amersfoort, the Maritime Museum (1947), the Nieuwe Muzick Schooi-Zeisr (1948) and The Scheveningen in the Netherlands, and also the Victoria Hotel (1949). In 1949, he got chance to paint Bung Hatta, Rahmi Hatta, Moh. Roem, and Sultan Hamid II during Round Table Conference in Den Haag, Netherland. |
A Kid by B. Abdullah & The Link to the Auction Website
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Besides that, he won a Painting Competition which was held during the coronation of Yuliana Queen on September 6th, 1948 in Nieuw Kerk, Amsterdam, Netherland.
Without his notice, his struggle or efforts to introduce himself as an Indonesian Painter, has already made him famous as The Ambassador of Indonesia Painters. He had brought and created good and positive image of Indonesia as a nation and country around the world. And furthermore, he had succeeded to reach the honourable position oversea, as the Formal Thailand Royal Kingdom Painter and awarded with “Poporo” Gold Star from the Thailand King named Raja Bhumibol Aduljadej, which was known as the highest awards for Formal Royal Kingdom Artist who had already given or sacrificed huge efforts for the nation and country.
As his continuous efforts as professional and international painter becoming more clearly and firm, he appointed to paint many Kings in many nations, Presidents, and other Oversea highest Government Officers. Besides that, he managed to hold many oversea exhibitions such as in : Singapura (1951), Italia (1955), Portugal dan Inggris (1956), Singapore (1958), Tokyo, Jepang (1959), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1959), and Thailand (1960).
It was recorded that in the year 1959, there was one special event in Tokyo - Japan, which his exhibition was opened and visited by Mikasa Prince who was known as the son of Hirohito Japanese King. The Japanese society were very amazed to see his naturalism and academic paintings during the exhibition. The Japanese traditional painting field got new insights from the exhibition, that the European style Sceneries Paintings could be painted perfectly by Asian - Indonesian painter.
Basuki Abdullah was also a dancer. He was used to dance as Rahwana or Hanoman – the heroic White Monkey in the Ramayana Traditional Theatrical Theme Dance. He was capable and understand perfectly about the Javanese culture and Javanese Puppets; he perfectly understood and become big fan for International music compositions such as Franz Schubert, Bethoven, and Paganini.
Regarding to his personal life, it is mentioned in his Foundation Website that :
Before 1937, he was married with Josephine (Dutch woman) and had one daughter named : Saraswati, who was born in 1938. He got divorced after that.
In 1944, Basuki Abdullah got married with Maya Michel, who was Mezzo Soprano Opera Singer. And they got separated in 1956.
In 1958, he married to Thai woman named Somwang Noi, but they separated in 1960.
In 1963, he married to Nataya Nareraat (Thai woman) and had one daughter named : Cicilia Shidawati. He met his soulmate and they had happy marriage until the end of Basuki Abdullah’s life.
Basuki Abdullah passed away on November 5th, 1993 at his own residence. He got killed by his employee – the Gardener at early morning. The gardener tried to steal his valuable watch collections. Then he was buried at Mlati Cemetery – Sleman, Yogyakarta.
What is his Achievement?
The Awards :
In 1935, he was graduated with honour from Academie Voor Beeldende Kunsten (Fine Art Academy) in Den Haag, Netherland. He awarded with the Royal International of Art (RIA) Certificate.
In 1949 (September 6th, 1949), he won the Painting Competition during the Coronation of Yuliana Queen. The competition was followed by 87 people in Nieuw Kerk, Amsterdam, Netherland.
He appointed as Formal Royal Kingdom Painter in Thailand, and awarded with “Poporo” Gold Star from the Thailand King named Raja Bhumibol Aduljadej, which was known as the highest awards for Formal Royal Kingdom Artist who had already given or sacrificed huge efforts for the nation and country.
He was the Ambassador of Indonesian Painters.
He appointed as Formal Painter for Indonesian Government – His paintings are kept and exhibited in Merdeka Palace or Museum.
The Exhibitions :
In 1939, exhibitions in Jakarta and Bandung.
In 1940, exhibition in Medan.
In 1941, exhibitions in Solo, Surabaya, Semarang, and Yogyakarta.
In 1942, exhibition in Jakarta.
In 1945, exhibition in the Netherlands Merdag Museum.
In 1946, exhibitions in Bristol, England, as well as Apeldoorn, Amersfoort.
In 1947, exhibition in the Maritime Museum.
In 1948, exhibition in the Nieuwe Muzick Schooi-Zeisr.
In 1949, exhibition in The Scheveningen in the Netherlands and the Victoria Hotel.
In 1951, exhibition in Singapura.
In 1955, exhibition in Italia.
In 1956, exhibitions in Portugal dan Inggris.
In 1958, exhibition in Singapore.
In 1959, exhibitions in Tokyo, Jepang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His exhibition was opened and visited by Mikasa Prince who was known as the son of Hirohito Japanese King.
In 1960, exhibition in Thailand.
His paintings are also exhibited in Museum Merdeka, Jakarta or Merdeka Palace, Jakarta
The Artworks :
The objects of Basuki Abdullah paintings as Naturalism and Romanticism follower are as follows :
Resource Links :
http://museumbasoekiabdullah.or.id/
https://id.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basuki_Abdullah
Auction or Useful Links :
http://lelang-lukisanmaestro.blogspot.co.id/2011/07/lukisan-karya-basuki-abdullah.html#
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basoeki_Abdullah_Museum
http://www.invaluable.com/artist/basoeki-abdullah-raden-3sq8xgk3yi/sold-at-auction-prices/
Without his notice, his struggle or efforts to introduce himself as an Indonesian Painter, has already made him famous as The Ambassador of Indonesia Painters. He had brought and created good and positive image of Indonesia as a nation and country around the world. And furthermore, he had succeeded to reach the honourable position oversea, as the Formal Thailand Royal Kingdom Painter and awarded with “Poporo” Gold Star from the Thailand King named Raja Bhumibol Aduljadej, which was known as the highest awards for Formal Royal Kingdom Artist who had already given or sacrificed huge efforts for the nation and country.
As his continuous efforts as professional and international painter becoming more clearly and firm, he appointed to paint many Kings in many nations, Presidents, and other Oversea highest Government Officers. Besides that, he managed to hold many oversea exhibitions such as in : Singapura (1951), Italia (1955), Portugal dan Inggris (1956), Singapore (1958), Tokyo, Jepang (1959), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1959), and Thailand (1960).
It was recorded that in the year 1959, there was one special event in Tokyo - Japan, which his exhibition was opened and visited by Mikasa Prince who was known as the son of Hirohito Japanese King. The Japanese society were very amazed to see his naturalism and academic paintings during the exhibition. The Japanese traditional painting field got new insights from the exhibition, that the European style Sceneries Paintings could be painted perfectly by Asian - Indonesian painter.
Basuki Abdullah was also a dancer. He was used to dance as Rahwana or Hanoman – the heroic White Monkey in the Ramayana Traditional Theatrical Theme Dance. He was capable and understand perfectly about the Javanese culture and Javanese Puppets; he perfectly understood and become big fan for International music compositions such as Franz Schubert, Bethoven, and Paganini.
Regarding to his personal life, it is mentioned in his Foundation Website that :
Before 1937, he was married with Josephine (Dutch woman) and had one daughter named : Saraswati, who was born in 1938. He got divorced after that.
In 1944, Basuki Abdullah got married with Maya Michel, who was Mezzo Soprano Opera Singer. And they got separated in 1956.
In 1958, he married to Thai woman named Somwang Noi, but they separated in 1960.
In 1963, he married to Nataya Nareraat (Thai woman) and had one daughter named : Cicilia Shidawati. He met his soulmate and they had happy marriage until the end of Basuki Abdullah’s life.
Basuki Abdullah passed away on November 5th, 1993 at his own residence. He got killed by his employee – the Gardener at early morning. The gardener tried to steal his valuable watch collections. Then he was buried at Mlati Cemetery – Sleman, Yogyakarta.
What is his Achievement?
The Awards :
In 1935, he was graduated with honour from Academie Voor Beeldende Kunsten (Fine Art Academy) in Den Haag, Netherland. He awarded with the Royal International of Art (RIA) Certificate.
In 1949 (September 6th, 1949), he won the Painting Competition during the Coronation of Yuliana Queen. The competition was followed by 87 people in Nieuw Kerk, Amsterdam, Netherland.
He appointed as Formal Royal Kingdom Painter in Thailand, and awarded with “Poporo” Gold Star from the Thailand King named Raja Bhumibol Aduljadej, which was known as the highest awards for Formal Royal Kingdom Artist who had already given or sacrificed huge efforts for the nation and country.
He was the Ambassador of Indonesian Painters.
He appointed as Formal Painter for Indonesian Government – His paintings are kept and exhibited in Merdeka Palace or Museum.
The Exhibitions :
In 1939, exhibitions in Jakarta and Bandung.
In 1940, exhibition in Medan.
In 1941, exhibitions in Solo, Surabaya, Semarang, and Yogyakarta.
In 1942, exhibition in Jakarta.
In 1945, exhibition in the Netherlands Merdag Museum.
In 1946, exhibitions in Bristol, England, as well as Apeldoorn, Amersfoort.
In 1947, exhibition in the Maritime Museum.
In 1948, exhibition in the Nieuwe Muzick Schooi-Zeisr.
In 1949, exhibition in The Scheveningen in the Netherlands and the Victoria Hotel.
In 1951, exhibition in Singapura.
In 1955, exhibition in Italia.
In 1956, exhibitions in Portugal dan Inggris.
In 1958, exhibition in Singapore.
In 1959, exhibitions in Tokyo, Jepang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His exhibition was opened and visited by Mikasa Prince who was known as the son of Hirohito Japanese King.
In 1960, exhibition in Thailand.
His paintings are also exhibited in Museum Merdeka, Jakarta or Merdeka Palace, Jakarta
The Artworks :
The objects of Basuki Abdullah paintings as Naturalism and Romanticism follower are as follows :
- Portraits
- Human Figure
- Nature landscape
- Based on Spiritual and Legends
- Nationalism
Resource Links :
http://museumbasoekiabdullah.or.id/
https://id.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basuki_Abdullah
Auction or Useful Links :
http://lelang-lukisanmaestro.blogspot.co.id/2011/07/lukisan-karya-basuki-abdullah.html#
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basoeki_Abdullah_Museum
http://www.invaluable.com/artist/basoeki-abdullah-raden-3sq8xgk3yi/sold-at-auction-prices/