The modern painting of Indonesia cannot be fully understood without placing it within the total cultural and social context of the archipelago. There are many local strengths that make the painting of Indonesia different from the modern art of the rest of the world. Indonesia's modern painting cannot be considered outside of the fact that the relationship between the artist's intuition and reality is not a formulated one. In Indonesia, this relationship – particularly in the past – has never been rational, direct and objective. Even in the modern period Indonesia's painters have continued to be influenced by the culture of the past. The liking for awe-inspiring enchantment, magical images and lyricism is an example of this.