DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Located along Sanur Beach, the Le Mayeur Museum stands as a cultural landmark shaped by the life story of Belgian painter Adrien Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres and his wife, Balinese dancer Ni Nyoman Pollok.
The museum, situated near the former Inna Grand Bali Beach hotel (now The Meru Sanur), was originally the couple’s home and art studio. Today, it is managed by the Bali Provincial Government and houses 88 paintings by Le Mayeur, along with personal and historical collections connected to their lives.
Their relationship began in the early 1930s when Le Mayeur arrived in Bali by sea in 1932, landing in Singaraja before continuing to Denpasar. While living in the Kelandis area, he met Ni Pollok, a young Legong dancer, who later became his model. With approval from her family and local community group, she agreed to pose for his paintings.
Over time, their professional relationship developed into a personal one, and the couple married in 1935. They later settled in Sanur, where Le Mayeur built a modest seaside home that also functioned as his painting studio. This residence is now preserved as the Le Mayeur Museum.
Inside the museum grounds, two statues commemorate the couple. A half-body statue of Le Mayeur was installed in 1959, a year after his death in 1958. Commissioned by Ni Pollok, the statue includes relief details of a canvas and paintbrush, symbolizing his work as an artist.
Ni Pollok passed away in 1985, and in 2006, her family donated a companion statue placed beside her husband’s. The statue features relief elements of traditional Legong dance attire, reflecting her legacy as a royal court dancer.
Both statues are located behind a coral stone fountain within the museum complex. Visitors may notice offerings placed at the site, a common Balinese practice associated with prayers for safety and respect. “Usually in Bali, offerings are placed as a way to pray for safety,” said Made Darma, a staff member at the museum on Wednesday (March 17, 2026).
The museum underwent a full revitalization and was temporarily closed before reopening to the public on August 11, 2025. Its reopening has renewed interest among visitors seeking cultural and historical experiences in Bali beyond typical tourist attractions.
For international visitors, the Le Mayeur Museum offers insight into Bali’s artistic heritage while telling a personal story that connects European and Balinese cultural traditions through art and partnership.