THE MEANING OF THE WAYANG KAMASAN PAINTING ‘LINTANG PERAU PEGAT’ (SPLITTING SHIP) AT KLUNGKUNG ROYAL PALACE

Abstract

This study analyzes the implicit meaning of Kamasan painting featuring the scene of Lintang Perau Pegat (Splitting Ship) in the Bale Kambang floting pavilion at the Klungkung Royal Palace, related to the Japanese occupation. The data in this research were analyzed by using art history approach with Erwin Panofsky's iconography and iconology analysis. Historic research methods, complemented by related data from observations, documents and literature, then continued by doing the selection, analysis, and interpretation of data to produce synthesis. The conclusion obtained is that the pre-iconography, this painting reveals the event of the splitting of a Japanese-flagged ship by a large fish. The iconographic analysis is about the themes and concepts of the nature power that can influence human life. The basic concept of this creation was about belief in the secret power (God) that can undermine human power. Through a psychological atmosphere during the Japanese occupation, this painting was a crystallization symbol of resistance in the midst of powerlessness towards the rulers (the government of Japanese occupation), and hopes for the presence of divine power to help eliminate the oppression by Japanese over Balinese.