SURIOSUBROTO ABDULLAH (1878-1941)
Gunung Agung
Indonesia (Bali)
In Lukisan parmandangan, Oil on canvas, 1910
The mountain
Gunung Agung ( 3, 031m - 9,944 ft) or Mount Agung, is a active volcano standing majestically on the eastern seaboard of Bali is the island’s highest mountain, located in the district of Karangasem. Mt. Agung affects its surrounding climate, its western slopes catching the rain clouds and making the west side lush and fertile, while its eastern slopes remains dry and barren.
The Balinese believe that Mt. Agung is the abode of the gods, and the volcano therefore is revered as sacred. It is on this mountain that the mother of all temples in Bali is located, called Pura Besakih. Entering the temple one has to climb hundreds of steps before reaching the main gate. But, fortunately, other staircases with easier climbs are available to make it easier for women carrying high mountains of offerings on their head to reach the temple.Although Mt. Agung inspires peace and tranquility, nonetheless, after 100 years of slumber, on 17 March 1963 the volcano burst violently, spewing ash and volcanic materials 8 to 10 km high into the air while pyroclastic clouds rolled down all sides of the mountain. Over a thousand people perished that day. And the entire surrounding down to Kintamani was blanketed for months in deep grey ash. But surprisingly, the ash brought fertility and large sweet potatoes grew from the volcanic material.
The artist
Suriosubroto Abdullah was an Indonesian painter. He is the adopted son of Wahidin Sudirohusodo, a figure in the Indonesian national movement. He was also the father of the famous Indonesian painter Sudjono Abdullah (1911-1991) and of the other landscape Basoeki Abdullah. Following in the footsteps of his adoptive father, Abdullah entered medical school in Batavia (now Jakarta). Then he continued his studies in the Netherlands. There, he switched to painting and entered the art school. After returning to Indonesia, he continued his career as a painter.Abdullah was seen as the first Indonesian painter in the 20th century. His favorite painting object is a view. He was included in a school dubbed " Mooi Indie " ("Beautiful Indies").
Abdullah began to settle for several years in Bandung to be close to nature which he liked to paint. Then he moved to Yogyakarta, where he died in 1941.
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2019 - Wandering Vertexes...
by Francis Rousseau
