Prince Raden Saleh - Aristocrat, Artist, Scientist and Patriot

On Friday April 23, 1880 at 13:00 o'clock, the celebrated Javanese painter Raden Saleh died (as reported in the Algemeen Dagblad van Nederlandsch-Indie on April 24, 1880) from a thrombosis attack at his residence in the mountain town of Bogor (as reported in the Algemeen Dagblad van Nederlandsch-Indie on April 24, 18809) then also known by its Dutch name as Buitenzorg, about 60 kilometers south of Jakarta, then more known as Batavia.

On Sunday morning, the funeral procession left his stately residence, located near the palace of the Governor General of the Netherlands-Indies, to carry the remains for burial to Kampung Empang at the outskirts of the town.

A correspondent of the Java Bode daily wrote the following eye witness report of the procession (original in Malay) :

The body of Raden Saleh was accompanied by many government functionaries, the Resident Mr. Roetmy and other landowners, hajis, a troupe of Muslims of high as well as low rankand Javanese persons, including the Javanese youngsters of the Agricultural School; all of them accompanied the deceased tothe burial place.

Islamic religious functionaries (penghulu) and teachers (kyai), in addition to other religiously devoted individuals, also participated in the procession. Throughout the route these Muslims and Javanese, particularly those who were religiously inclined, chanted with sorrowful voices: "There is only one God and Muhammad is his prophet."

The body was carried by four Javanese government functionaries. Behind the deceased a sergeant walked while holding a silver plate (Inanampan). On the plate were five honorary medals which Raden Salehacquired during his life-time from a number of kingdoms.

At about seven o'clock the body was properly buried (Java Bode April 28, 1880).

Thus the funeral ceremony was attended by representatives from practically all sectors and levels of the colonial community in Bogor.

Prince Raden Saleh had achieved greatness as the first indigenous painter in the Indonesian archipelago to have mastered the techniques of European art painting and to have acquired recognition from the mighty protectors and benefactors of the fine arts in nineteenth century Europe.

His greatness as a painter, however, has overshadowed some of his other meritorious accomplishments, particularly his accomplishments in the scientific field, an aspect which finally will be given its rightful attention here.