Kartini 1976

Basuki Abdullah’s ‘Kartini’ is a portrait, likely oil on canvas, of an Indonesian national heroine. Look at the way Abdullah teases out the light on her face. It’s not overly blended, but there’s a gentle diffusion, almost like he’s building the form from the inside out. The whole background is just a smoky grey, which pushes her forward, making her presence so immediate, so, dare I say, modern. It reminds me of some of those old masters who weren't afraid to leave a little murkiness around the edges, you know? And that pendant, oh, the pendant! Each little flourish, like a tiny golden comma, adding rhythm and texture. Then there’s her soft, almost melancholy expression. It's not just a likeness; it’s a feeling, a mood. You know, it's like Rembrandt, but with its own story to tell. Ultimately, ‘Kartini’ feels like a quiet conversation. And that’s the best kind of art, isn’t it?