HENDRA GUNAWAN*

Diponegoro Wounded at War, 1982.

*Born in Bandung in 1918, Hendra Gunawan was an Indonesian artist well known for combining Westernpainting techniques and traditional Indonesian aesthetics. Gunawan, known as one of the most famous artistsin Indonesia, was also involved in the Indonesian independence movement and arrested in the following yearsas part of the anti-communist purge. After his release from prison in 1978, he created huge paintings depictingthe revolutionary history and local culture of Indonesia. He submitted these paintings to some of the provincesin Indonesia, and ‘Diponegoro Wounded at War’ was one of them. This huge painting depicts a scene from theJava War (1825-1830), one of the most well-known battles of the colonial period. However, Gunawan died beforehe could finish the painting, and the unfinished Diponegoro figure in the painting, depicted fighting on a horsewearing white trousers and a blue shirt, also caused many comments. In its unfinished form, the masterpiece,interpreted as referring to Diponegoro's unfinished struggle passed on to the next generations, has become aniconic work both in terms of art and Indonesian history and continues to appeal to patriotic feelings.

Source: Ciputra Artpreneur and Museum.