Did you know this building was almost something entirely different? The Galeri Nasional, or National Gallery of Indonesia, stands as a testament to Indonesia’s vibrant art scene. But its history stretches back further than its 1999 establishment. This place has lived many lives.
Originally, in 1817, it was a Dutch Indies colonial-style residence. G.C. Van Rijk built it. The materials even came from the remains of Kasteel Batavia.
Later, in 1900, it became an educational complex. It was known as Carpentier Alting Stichting or CAS. Albertus Samuel Carpentier Alting a Dutch Protestant pastor ran it. The main building became a female dormitory. More buildings were added for different school levels.
After Indonesia’s independence in 1945, the school remained open. However, the government insisted on admitting students of all races. In 1955, the government banned Dutch colonial activities. The Raden Saleh Foundation took over CAS.
In 1961, the government expelled Dutch students and teachers. The school was shut down. It became a state primary school and a senior high school. A year later, Freemasonry was banned by President Sukarno. The Raden Saleh Foundation was disbanded. The Department of Education and Culture took control.
After 1965, the main building served as headquarters for a youth command unit. They demanded the disbanding of the Indonesian Communist Party. Once things calmed down, the Indonesian Army used it. It became the headquarters for the Jayasakti Infantry Brigade.
Finally, in 1981, the Army returned the core building to the Department of Education and Culture. In 1987, after renovations, the building was dedicated as an art exhibition center.
After much lobbying, the Indonesia National Gallery was officially established on May 8, 1999.
Today, the Galeri Nasional houses 1770 artworks. These pieces are by Indonesian and foreign artists. You’ll find works by Raden Saleh, Affandi, and Basuki Abdullah. There are also pieces by Wassily Kandinsky and Hans Hartung.
The Galeri Nasional plays a vital role. It expands public awareness of visual arts in Indonesia. It preserves, develops, and showcases Indonesian art.
The Galeri Nasional also holds temporary exhibitions. One notable exhibition was Piknik ’70-an. It showcased art from the 1970s. The exhibition featured 65 works by 54 artists. It highlighted the joy and spirit of that era. The gallery is open daily except Mondays, from 9 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free.