Raden Saleh's Resistance to Colonialism in the Painting "Between Life and Death" (1848)

Abstract

Romanticism became a new cultural orientation in Europe in the 19th century. Through the exploration of tradition and history, romanticism gradually aroused nationalism, giving rise to a paradoxical situation: on the one hand, it fueled colonial expansion, on the other hand, aroused the spirit of resistance of colonized society. Raden Saleh was in Europe in this situation and became famous as a Romantic painter. This research departs from the assumption that Romanticism encouraged Raden Saleh to develop resistance to colonialism in painting. This study aims to prove the existence of signs of resistance to Colonialism in Raden Saleh's painting, entitled "Between Life and Death" (1848). This goal was achieved by analyzing the painting with CW Morris Semiotics, with the approach of Psychoanalysis Theory and Postcolonial Theory. Research shows that there are signs of resistance to Colonialism in the painting.