Mallika Dureja
If you have even a passing interest in history, the Le Mayeur Museum in Bali is an absolute must-see during your time there. The Le Mayeur Museum is a memorial museum hall that primarily houses the works of art and individual history of the painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres (February 9, 1880 – May 31, 1958). Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres was a Brussels-born craftsman who was inspired by the shores of Sanur and who dedicated his entire life there to the two things that he cherished the most: human expressions and ladies.
Le Mayeur had traveled quite a bit before he made the decision to settle down in Bali and spend the rest of his life there. After giving up his profession in order to pursue his passion for expressiveness, he found himself mesmerized by the vibrant scent of frangipani and a particular bare breasted Legong artist, Ni Pollok, who became his partner and his dream.
The museum is a physical representation of the incredibly significant legacy left behind by a craftsman and by a nation. The primary structure features the former living quarters of the couple, which are decorated with traditional Balinese elements such as etched stone partitions and red terrazzo floor tiles. The motifs that are evoked by the wayang shadow manikin characters are highlighted by carved wooden furniture and window sills.
There are five rooms that act as impartial onlookers to the daily happenings in the lives of Le Mayeur and Ni Pollok. Guests may imagine the comparative romantic story being brought back to life through seemingly lifeless materials, similar to how the film Titanic was narrated in an old-fashioned approach.
Location: Le Mayeur Museum is located at Jl. Hang Tuah, Sanur Kaja, Denpasar Sel., Kota Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
