The Royal Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences (, 1778–1962) was a Dutch learned society in Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia).
The society was founded in 1778 by naturalist Jacob Cornelis Matthieu Radermacher as the Bataviaasch Genootschap der Kunsten en Wetenschappen (Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences), and assumed its current name in 1910.
After Indonesian independence in 1949, it was renamed the Lembaga Kebudajaan Indonesia in 1950, and in 1962 ceased operation. Its collection is now in the Museum Nasional.
History
A young VOC official—J.C.M Radermacher was interested in arts and sciences in the Indies. Radermacher suggested the establishment of an association in Batavia similar to the Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen [HMW] in Haarlem. Initially, this suggestion was not received well until 1777 when during the commemoration of 25 years of HMW there was an intention to open the branch in the colony. The association was an independent scientific association established in Batavia.
On 24 April 1778, an association was established in Batavia named Bataviaasch Genootschap der Kunsten en Wetenschappen (Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences), often abbreviated as BG. Governor-Generals and high officials of VOC were designated as members of board of directors and society key figures were to become members of the association. The motto of Bataviaasch Genootschap (BG) was Ten Nutte van Het Gemeen (For Public's Best Interest). The main objective of BG was to analyze the cultural and scientific aspects of the East Indies, including its society and natural environment, through facilitating research conducted by experts.
Subjects
At first, the scope of activity of BG was quite general; among others were natural science, ethnography, history, manuscript and literature, agriculture and medication. The role of the institution as colonial government's consultant has grown more prominent; especially in the field of archaeology and the preservation of ancient sites in Java—prior to the establishment of Archaeological service in 1913. Since mid-19th century, however, the scope was narrowed down to exclude natural science subjects that were taken over by a more specific Physics Association. BG would concentrate only in the subjects of language and literature, archaeology and history, as well as ethnography and anthropology.
Journals and publications
The association was quite productive, published scientific articles and journals; Verhandelingen van het Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen (VBG, published in 1779 to 1950) and Tijdschrift voor Indische taal-land en volkenkunde (TBG, published in 1853 to 1952). The association administrative reports is published in Notulen van Bataviaasch Genootschap (NBG).
Museum collections
Since its establishment, the Batavian Society had started gathering the collection acquired from the contributions of its members. The initial collection was much owed to its founder, J.C.M. Radermacher that contributed his house at De Groote Rivier street along with his collection of books, manuscripts, musical instruments, currency, flora samples of dried plants, etc. At that time, collecting and donating curious rare and unique objects is regarded as a commendable endeavour, intellectually fashionable and prestigious activity among the social elites in Batavia. Therefore, the society's collection increased significantly. Since 1779, the society decided to exhibit its collection for the public, although restricted only to Wednesday from 8 to 10:00. This was the seed of the museum activity. The members of BG were allowed to borrow the SBG's book collection with a time limit of up to 3 weeks.
During the British rule, Stamford Raffles donated an additional building located behind the Societeit de Harmonie hall to store the large sum of collections that insufficiently stored in De Groote Rivier building. Meanwhile, the collection grew significantly greater due to the addition of zoology collection in the form of preserved mammals, birds, seashells, etc.
In 1822, Governor-General G.A. Baron van der Capellen issued a decree to form a commission to search for important objects in Java and sent them to the Batavian Society. The policy to increase the museum collection was pushed further by the Governor-General J.C. Baud's (1833-1836) decree that instructed the government officials throughout Dutch East Indies to assist in searching for important objects for Batavian Society museum collection.