Two Balinese by Le Mayeur ~ Circa 1950
Balinese scene by Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur, a skilled Impressionist active in the early 20th century. Originally from Belgium, Le Mayeur traveled extensively and reconstructed his incredible voyages in paintings. His greatest artistic legacy is an important body of work dedicated to the tropical paradise island of Bali, Indonesia. Le Mayeur was completely enthralled by both the culture and the incredible natural beauty. He left Europe and made a second voyage to Bali at the age of 52 and made it his home.
Moving to the Island of Gods
Bali is one of the best-known islands of the large Indonesian archipelago. It is a tropical paradise with extraordinary landscapes, lush tropical greens, incredible beaches, and vibrant religious traditions rooted in Balinese Hinduism. In 1932, Le Mayeur arrived by boat at Singaraja in the Bululeng province in the northern part of the island. He made his way south to Banjar Kelandis, located close to Denpasar, and rented a house there.
In Bali, Le Mayeur met and fell in love with Ni Wayan Pollok Tjoeglik, a 15-year-old Legong dancer who was 37 years his junior. Ni Pollok became his lifelong muse and model. In 1933, his paintings, largely featuring Ni Pollok, were exhibited at the YMCA in Singapore. The exhibition was a great commercial success. Le Mayeur then used the proceeds to purchase land at Sanur Beach, where he built a beautiful ocean-facing home and studio. In 1935, Le Mayeur married Ni Pollok in a traditional Balinese ceremony. She retired as a dancer and served as her husband’s model for over 25 years. Ni Pollok is the subject of several of Le Mayeur’s works.
Life in Bali
During the Japanese Occupation between 1942 and 1945, Le Mayeur was placed under house arrest, and painted feverishly during this time. When he eventually ran out of canvas he painted on any available surface. In the years that followed, Villa Le Mayeur became immensely popular and the couple became well-known for their gracious hospitality at the seaside cottage. Further, exhibitions in the Southeast Asian region earned Le Mayeur international acclaim.
Le Mayeur returned to Brussels in 1958 and was diagnosed with ear cancer. He passed away the same year and was laid to rest in the Ixelles cemetery. After the passing of her husband, Ni Pollok married again, but her second husband was an expatriate from Italy who was forced to leave Indonesia not long afterward. She spent the rest of her life at a cottage in Sanur until she passed away at the age of 70.
Size 37 by 28 cm.
Quality Recycled Art Paper
Mounted with Thick Art Cardboard
Description on the Back
Transparent Protection Wrapper
Ready for Framing
Our mounted art prints are printed on recycled uncoated speckled art paper.