Raden Saleh
The modern art pioneer.
Indonesia's national museum of modern art, in a white colonial building with classical columns from the early nineteenth century, originally a boarding school, east of Merdeka Square near the Monas monument. It holds thousands of works by Indonesian and foreign artists. The permanent exhibition traces modern Indonesian art from its nineteenth-century pioneer Raden Saleh through Affandi, Sudjojono and the independence generation to contemporary art. It also hosts changing temporary exhibitions of regional and international artists. Entry is usually free, and it is usually closed on Mondays. The building and its garden are calm amid the city's bustle. It suits art lovers, takes about an hour, and pairs with nearby Monas and Istiqlal Mosque on a central Jakarta tour.
The modern art pioneer.
Classical columns.
Contemporary art.
Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur, central Jakarta, near Gambir station
Monas (National Monument)Jakarta's best-known symbol: a white marble obelisk one hundred and thirty-two m8 minutes walk
Lapangan Banteng ParkA historic square in central Jakarta dating from the Dutch era, fully renovated 11 minutes walk
Istiqlal MosqueThe largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the national mosque of Indonesia, the w12 minutes walk
National Museum of Indonesia (Elephant Museum)Indonesia's oldest and most comprehensive museum, and one of the finest in South14 minutes walkUsually yes for the permanent and most temporary shows; some special exhibitions may need tickets or online registration.