Portrait of 'Forest Fire' by Raden Saleh Appears in BTS Jin's MV, Unveiling the Meaning and Journey of the Maestro's Painting

The painting is Forest Fire (in Dutch called Boschbrand), created by the Indonesian master painter, Raden Saleh, in 1849 using oil on canvas technique.

Initially painted as a gift for King William III of the Netherlands in 1850, this monumental work measures approximately 300 × 396 cm and was hidden in a depot in Rijswijk before being acquired by the National Gallery of Singapore from the collection of the Dutch Royal Family in 2014.

Thematically, Forest Fire displays the dramatic romanticism of animals in the forests of Java Island, such as tigers, buffalo, and even eagles panicking as they flee from the raging fire that spreads mercilessly.

According to the Assistant Director of Communications at the National Gallery of Singapore, this painting provides an experience that feels 'truly real' and immerses its viewers into a wild world full of tension.

In addition, the flames and dark shadows on the canvas symbolize the cycle of life and death, showing how living beings react when facing deadly natural disasters.

Many Indonesian netizens are proud to see the heritage of archipelagic art breaking into the K-Pop stage. However, some mistakenly thought that the painting was the same as the replica brought in the film Mencuri Raden Saleh (2022). In fact, the work that is the focus of the theft business in the film is The Arrest of Pangeran Diponegoro, not Kebakaran Hutan.

In addition to Kebakaran Hutan and The Arrest of Pangeran Diponegoro, Raden Saleh left behind other masterpieces that gained worldwide recognition, including The Arrest of Pangeran Diponegoro (1857), Deer Hunt or Berburu Rusa di Jawa (1840), and View of Erupting Mount Merapi (around 1846).

The paintings not only display the skill of European Romanticism techniques but also Raden Saleh's love for nature and the culture of the archipelago, making him the first modern painter of Indonesia.

Indonesia's connection with the new era of BTS does not stop there. One of the tracks on the mini album 'Echo' titled 'Background' involves Indonesian songwriter Francis Karel, who has been writing lyrics with the team since 2021. Francis, previously known for his work 'Sweet Misery' with SHINee, shows that the musical talent from the homeland is increasingly being recognized on the global stage.

Who has watched the MV 'Don't Say You Love Me'? If not now, when?