Raden Saleh’s Forgotten Masterpiece: A Flood on Java

Over the span of history, Earth has encountered a multitude of legendary artists from diverse time periods. The historical Leonardo Da Vinci, the great Pablo Picasso, and the esteemed post-impressionism master Vincent van Gogh, all these artists (and more) are amongst some of the greatest artists to have ever lived and have made their mark in history with their extraordinary artworks that have shaped society and culture for the long future. Although, these artists did not originate from the same place or country. Artists come from all around the world, whether they are from Japan or Brazil. Regardless of the location or time, artists have and will always exist. And certainly, Indonesia has its own list of acclaimed artists. The most notable of them all is none other than the renowned Raden Saleh. 

Raden Saleh Syarif Bustaman, or known simply as Raden Saleh, was a prominent Indonesian artist who pioneered the way for Indonesian modern art, often considered the country’s first major, internationally recognized artist. Born in Semarang, Central Java, of the year 1807, he grew up in a noble family, as his father was a Yemeni Arab immigrant. As a young boy, Raden Saleh had already demonstrated a drive and passion for the arts, seeking out the help of famous colonial painter A.A.J. Payen in Bogor, who then took Raden Saleh in as an apprentice. In 1829, his skills and talents earned him a scholarship from the Dutch East Indies government to study painting in Europe. This accomplishment made him the first ever Indonesian to set foot on European grounds. Raden Saleh went on to study painting in both the Netherlands and Germany, meeting and learning with fellow painters Cornelis Kruseman and Andries Schelfhout. Around 1844, Raden Saleh was awarded the Bintang Eikenkoon by King Willem II, which was a token of appreciation from the country of Luxembourg, and was appointed as court painter by King Willem III. Additionally, the painter adopted the Romanticism painting style, which emphasizes subjective experiences, imagination, and a flair for the dramatic. After spending more than 20 years living, studying, and working in Europe, Raden Saleh finally returned to Indonesia, back then known as the Dutch East Indies, in 1851. He was met with high praise and applause, celebrated throughout the country. Back at home, he continued to paint portraits for the colonial elites and Javanese princes, whom he claimed were his relatives. In 1880, Raden Saleh sadly passed away after a short trip from Europe, marking the end of a historical Indonesian figure. His paintings are among the best amongst all Indonesian artists. And although most people know about his more famous ones, like ‘Forest Fire’ (1849) and ‘The Arrest of Pangeran Diponegoro’ (1830), not many are aware of his more underrated works, such as ‘A Flood on Java' (1876). 


The oil painting ‘A Flood on Java’ is a terrifying one, portraying horrors in a whirlpool of tragedy. Raden Saleh first started the painting in 1863 and finished it in 1876, approximately 4 years before the painter’s death. It depicts a group of people huddling together over what seems to be a broken-down hut as water floods their surroundings, destroying everything in the way. People are stacked on top of each other and screaming for help; some are passed out, and some are searching for any aid, as buffaloes are struggling to keep their heads above the water to breathe. The skies are gloomy, the water is murky, and you can barely see anything in the background due to the immense fog. This painting showcases ultimate despair. Raden Saleh himself was a master painter of the Romantic era, resulting in the painting becoming an exaggerated and dramatic, yet truthful, expression of the pain and torment inflicted upon Indonesians. It was inspired by the frequent and devastating flood disasters on the Javanese island, specifically the 2-day-long flood in Banyumas, Central Java, from 21 to 23 February 1862. In addition to the painting’s portrayal of the Javanese people, the color palette used in the artwork makes the situation even more evident. Compared to Raden Saleh’s other pieces, such as ‘The Water Mill’ (1835), ‘Javanese Landscape, with Tigers Listening to the Sound of a Travelling Group’ (1849), and ‘The Wild Bull Hunting’ (1855), they were all painted with vibrant and lively colors, most likely to capture the beauty of Indonesian scenery and nature fully. But upon looking at ‘A Flood on Java’, the contrast is obvious. The lifeless color palette further stresses how horrific this sort of event truly is, showing no signs of hope or certainty that they’ll make it out alive. Raden Saleh somehow managed to illustrate a masterpiece out of an awful event, yet was still able to create it in a way that anyone who came across the painting would know and feel exactly what the people in the painting felt too. 

When analyzing the painting even further, it could also have a completely different meaning. At the time, Indonesia was still under Dutch colonial rule, meaning that the Dutch had almost total control over what the Indonesians did. Indonesia would stay under this empire and wouldn't be freed until the country’s independence in 1945. Upon returning to Java, he witnessed the transformation of his home country by the Dutch colonial exploitation. He might’ve wanted to highlight the suffering amongst the Indonesian locals, displaying how much they went through throughout this time period. The artwork can emphasize the self-reliance of the Javanese during massive disasters, contrasting with the fact that there was a lack of colonial support, who were supposed to be the one protecting the local people, showing that the Dutch did not care for the Indonesians and subjected them to agony. 

Throughout the course of his life, Raden Saleh accomplished great heights, as his paintings are now recognized worldwide and hung in established and iconic museums, such as the Louvre Museum in France and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the United States. His legacy is praised by acclaimed professionals in the art world, as his journey and influence inspire other young Indonesian artists to pursue their passions. However, let us not forget that despite his most famed artworks capturing scenic events, Raden Saleh still captured the despair and agony experienced by Indonesian citizens. Life-changing events in Indonesian history have always been erased, whether that be because of the Dutch or other various reasons. And even though Raden Saleh’s portrayal of that dreadful flood sheds light on the situation of the people of Indonesia, that painting is allegedly missing, with no trace of its current holder. Raden Saleh’s ‘A Flood on Java’ is, in my opinion, one of his all-time masterpieces and a great example of how a mere painting is able to document tragedies from old times. 





References 


Satriaji, P. A. (2024, August 30). A Closer Look on Raden Saleh’s Lost Artwork “A Flood on Java (1876).”pandas.medium.com. https://medium.com/@panduas/a-closer-look-on-raden-salehs-lost-artwork-a-flood-on-java-1876-089c20d4909e 

Raden Saleh (The J. Paul Getty Museum Collection). Getty. (n.d.-b). https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/108KQY A Flood in Java. Artera. (n.d.). https://www.artera.ae/artworks/7e6a4bfd-8700-46ff-ab1c-1d65dd6e15cf Raden Saleh’s Paintings That Are Spread Abroad. Written. (2024, May 7). https://written.id/en/you/Raden-Saleh/ 

Carpenter, B. W. (2011, November 15). Indonesia’ First Celebrity Artist. Indonesia expat. https://indonesiaexpat.id/travel/history-culture/indonesias-first-celebrity-artist/ 

Indonesian Modern Artist | Pioneer of Modern Indonesian Painting. Medium. (2020, October 27). https://medium.com/@earthclone/indonesian-modern-artist-pioneer-of-modern-indonesian-painting-e45dd066299b 

Iskandar. (2025, December 4). Menguak Kisah Banjir Banyumas 1862 dalam Karya Raden Saleh yang Kini Hilang. Koropak.Co.ID - Merajut Peradaban Nusantara. https://koropak.co.id/53572/menguak-kisah-banjir-banyumas-1862-dalam-karya-raden-saleh-yang-kini-hilang#:~:text=KOROPAK.CO.ID%20%2D%20Pelukis%20nasional%20Raden%20Saleh%20pernah,melanda%20sebagian%20wilayah%20Jawa%20Tengah%20melalui%20karyanya

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