“Javanese Girl” spreads Enchantment in Amsterdam
By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Indonesian Embassy in The Hague held a “Journalists Gathering” at the Indonesian restaurant, Ron’s Gastro Bar in Downtown Amsterdam on August 7, 2019.
On display were works by the famous Italian artist Romualdo Locatelli (1905-1943) among them the famous piece “Javanese Girl”
Present at the event were a good number of Dutch journalists from various media houses: Belindo Magazine, Diplomat Magazine, Groenteman met Veeninga, The Holland Times, KPN Planet and De Telegraaf
The event was opened by the Indonesian Ambassador in the Netherlands,
H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja.In his inaugural remarks, Ambassador Puja warmly welcomed the journalists and expressed his admiration for the various paintings by Locatelli which are full of exoticism, mystery and realistic elements.
Furthermore, the Dutch curator of Italian descent,Gianni Orsini, who is also a biographer and art expert, presented the biography book ‘Romualdo Locatelli, Eternal Green under an Eternal Sun’.The biography focuses in detail on the last four years of Locatelli’s brief but meaningful life, from 1939 to his tragic disappearance at the age of 37.
The biography also recounts his golden period, the period when he was living in Italy, North Africa, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
Today, after 75 years, the story of his life and his mysterious disappearance has become part of the mythological dimension.
Before travelling to Indonesia (Dutch East Indies), Locatelli had close relations with the Italian Royal family, political elites and religious leaders. This has heightened the momentum of his career.
An example of one of his famous paintings in Europe is the one featuring the two sons of the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Italy and that of Benito Mussolini’s daughter.
During his stint in Java(January-September 1939) and Bali(September 1939-1940), Locatelli produced rare and valuable works. In addition to the painting “Java Girl” which was also exhibited at this the event, one of his paintings of a Balinese girl entitled “Smoking”was sold for 4,200,000 HKD on March 31, 2019, at an auction held at the Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Art Evening Sale, Hong Kong.
Orsini, a biographer, has a strong interest in art and Indonesia, this is due to his grandfather who was a well-known Italian sculptor who lived in Batavia (Jakarta) 1892 the city where his father was born. After completing his education at the Technical University in Delft, Orsini then chose to pursue arts, especially painting. The books he wrote include a biography of G.P.Adolf (2008), W.G. Hofker (2013), Blackmann (2017), as well as a book collection of the Pasifika Museum collection in Nusa Dua Bali (2017).
The journalists and guests were treated to typical dishes of the contemporary archipelago. As an appetizer, the guests were served with tacos, tuna tartar, tartar meat, and satay wrapped around the lemongrass stem. As for the main course, an Indonesian food menu was served with a typical Dutch serving, rijsttafel. The treats were in great demand by all. There was: balado fish, rendang, satay goat, chicken satay, fresh vegetables, lodeh vegetables, balado eggs, fried rice, and not to forget fried bananas and sambal. And for dessert, a passion fruit ice cream was served.
Two journalists from Groenteman met Veeninga, Djoeke and Cora said they were very impressed with this “gathering” program. Cora also had a special interest in Dutch East Indies art and was himself a biographer. While Djoeke was very happy to be able to participate in this activity. He has several times held journalistic activities in Indonesia. Indonesian cuisine is one of his favourite dishes, sometimes he even prepares Indonesian fish soup.
Roy Lie Atjam from Diplomat Magazine said that he regularly covers the activities organized by the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague. He also felt very pleased to be able to take part in this luncheon. Nanda from The Holland Times made similar remarks.
“Journalists Gathering”is an initiative of the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, its aim is to embrace the Dutch media and strengthen relations with them. “Journalists Gathering” is also a means to promote culture, in this case through the beauty of paintings, and also to further promote the delicacies of the archipelago’s cuisine which is rich in herbs and spices.
