The Newsletter 61 Autumn 2012

Lost paradise

Louis Zweers

Bali has always been popular with European artists; at the beginning of the previous century they were already enjoying the island’s ancient culture, breathtaking nature and friendly population. In 1932, the aristocratic Belgian, Jean Le Mayeur (1880-1958), made a home for himself in the tropical paradise; he mainly painted near-nude female dancers and was thus known as the ‘Paul Gauguin of Bali’. His colourful impressionist paintings and pastels were sold to American tourists for two or three hundred dollars, which was a substantial amount at that time. These days, his works are sold for small fortunes through the international auction houses.

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