Chapter 7: A Painter’s Dilemma
Edisi Indonesia: Dilema Seorang Pelukis
The twilight sun filtered through the open windows of Ciptakarsa’s studio, casting a golden hue across the canvases that were propped against the walls. Majapahit’s grandeur was reflected in the lively streets below, the clamor of merchants, artisans, and warriors filling the air. Yet, within the studio, a heavy silence lingered. Ciptakarsa sat before the Emperor’s grand commission, but his brush remained untouched, frozen as if suspended in indecision.
For days, he had struggled with the task laid before him. The Emperor's request to immortalize Majapahit's triumphs in a series of grand paintings should have been the pinnacle of his career. Yet, an unshakable sense of conflict gnawed at him, making every blank canvas a battlefield of conscience. The Empire’s victories were undeniable, their conquests and dominance worthy of admiration, but as he stared at his paints, another vision stirred within him—a more grounded, intimate story that he felt compelled to tell.
His mind wandered to the people of Majapahit, the farmers who toiled in the fields, the artisans who crafted with their bare hands, and the women and children who bore the weight of the Empire’s expansion in silence. Their faces, their lives, flashed before his mind’s eye as vividly as the grand armies of Majapahit. They, too, were the heartbeat of this mighty empire, yet their stories seemed lost in the shadows of its glory.
He set down his brush, resting his head in his hands. How could he paint the truth as he saw it without risking his career, or worse, his life? The Emperor's expectations were clear—celebrate the victories of Majapahit. But Ciptakarsa felt the weight of responsibility to show a deeper truth, a truth that would resonate with the people, not just the ruling elite.
Kadek’s footsteps echoed softly as he entered the studio, sensing the storm brewing within his friend. “Still struggling with the commission?” he asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern.
Ciptakarsa sighed deeply, looking up. “I am torn, Kadek. The Emperor expects me to paint a vision of majesty and power, but what of the people? What of the sacrifice, the silent suffering that goes unseen? How can I, in good conscience, paint only one side of the story?”
Kadek crossed the room, standing beside Ciptakarsa as he studied the blank canvas before them. He pondered for a moment before speaking. “Majapahit’s strength isn’t just in its conquests or its wealth. It’s in its people, their resilience, their ability to endure even the harshest of times. Maybe... maybe it’s time for someone to tell that story.”
Ciptakarsa frowned, his mind racing. “But how can I? To stray from the Emperor’s vision could mean disaster.”
Kadek shrugged. “Perhaps. Or perhaps it could mean something greater. Art isn’t just about pleasing those in power, my friend. It’s about truth. And truth can be many things.”
That night, as the city outside quieted under the blanket of stars, Ciptakarsa sat alone in his studio, staring at the canvas. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He could see the faces of the farmers, the soldiers, the artisans, all of them carrying the weight of the Empire’s expectations. And in that moment, he realized that to paint only Majapahit’s victories would be a disservice to the very people who built it.
With a renewed sense of purpose, he picked up his brush and began to paint—not just a scene of triumph, but a tapestry of the Empire’s soul. Each stroke was deliberate, filled with the emotion he had kept bottled up for so long. He painted the people—ordinary, unseen, their strength and pain woven into the fabric of Majapahit’s story.
The first light of dawn found Ciptakarsa still working, his face illuminated by the soft glow of the rising sun. As he stepped back to view his work, a sense of peace settled over him. The painting before him was not the grand display of power the Emperor had requested, but it was something more—something real, something that spoke to the heart of what Majapahit truly was.
And as the morning light bathed the studio, Ciptakarsa knew that his decision, though risky, was the right one. Whatever the consequences, he had stayed true to his vision, capturing not just the victories of Majapahit, but its spirit.
Echoes of Majapahit
Prologue: The Painter's Vision
Chapter 1: The Painter's Ambition
Chapter 2: The Royal Commission
Chapter 3: The Journey Into the Jungle
Chapter 4: The Return to Majapahit
Chapter 5: The Commission Unveiled
Chapter 6: Confusion and Pressure
Chapter 7: A Painter’s Dilemma
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