A CENTURY OF SUDJOJONO
A Bitter, Bloodless Battle

This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Indonesia's Father of Modern Art, S. Sudjojono. A discussion of his greatest painting, The Battle between Sultan Agung and J.P. Coen, was held recently as part of a larger docket of events set to take place throughout the year. The oil painting, which measures 3x10 meters, is on display at the Jakarta History Museum, also called the Fatahillah Museum, in Jakarta's Old City. It was commissioned by former Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin.

Tempo tracked down those who were close to Sudjojono to find out how the painting was made, from since its preparation until its completion seven months later. Interestingly, even though the painting depicts an action-packed battle, with swinging swords and daggers, smoke and fire, soldiers sprawling and whinnying horses, Sudjojono painted not a single drop of blood.

From the outset, Sudjojono could not separate himself from nationalist struggle. Many of his paintings were about war and heroism, including portraits he made for former President Sukarno, which today are kept at the State Palace. Not many people know about them.