Dullah

Dullah

Description: Dullah (1919-1996; Surakarta, Central Java) learned painting from Affandi (1970-1990) and Sindutomo Sudjojono (1913-1986). He was best known for his realistic portrait paintings, in addition to landscapes and still life works. Dullah was a “Revolutionary Painter” becauseof his works which focused on Indonesia’s war of independence against the Dutch from 1945-1949. In 1950 he founded the Himpunan Budaya Surakarta (Surakarta Cultural Association) in his home town. During the 1950s, Dullah was official painter for then president of Indonesia, Sukarno (1901-1970). In 1988 he established the Museum Dullah in Surakarta. Exhibitions : East-West Centre (Honolulu, Hawaii, 1998), Singapore Art Museum (1994), centre for Strategic and International Studies (Jakarta, Indonesia, 1996).

	Title : Miss Sasih   Artist : Dullah   Media : Oil on canvas   Size : 100 x 70 cm   Year : 1977
Description:
This realistic portait is of an ideal Balinese maiden. Her name is the Sanskrit and Balinese word for “moon”, which thus equates feminine beauty with the perfection of the full moon. The young woman is dressed in a kain songket (brocade) hip-cloth and lacey kebaya (long-sleeved blouse). She is picking up a frangipani flower, thus providing a setting that takes this painting beyond mere portraiture. At the top a pavilion, tree trunk, and shrine are visible.