Puri Lukisan

Friday, December 18, 2015

Museum Puri Lukisan in Ubud

The "Palace of Painting" was created by Ubud's prince Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati and Dutch painter Rudolf Bonnet.  It was conceived in 1953 out of concern that Bali's finest works of art were disappearing into private collections around the world.  The museum's holdings are mainly 20th century Balinese painting and wood sculpture, including important collections from the 1930's.  The grounds, with their gardens and ponds, are a shady, tranquil oasis in the center of Ubud.

Beautiful rice patties on our way to Ubud

Traditional Bali entrance

Outdoor cafe on the museum grounds

The War of Subali and Sugriwa

Before Jatayu died he told Rama that his wife had been kidnapped by Rawana.  In his quest to find his wife, Rama met Hanoman who reported that there was a fight between Sabali and Sugriwa because of a misunderstanding between the brothers.  (cloth and Balinese color)

Kala Rau (1974) I Ketut Budiana, of Padang Tegal, Ubud 

paints the lunar eclipse of Balinese myth 

The Adiparwa of the Indian Mahabharata epic tells a story of the demon Kalarau who drinks the elixir of life.  The sun and moon warn the deities, who decapitate Kalarau as the liquid enters his mouth.  In revenge the immortal head of Kalarau swallows the sun and the moon goddess Ratih, causing eclipses. At the end of an eclipse, she emerges intact from his severed neck. (acrylic on canvas)

colorful batik dyed cloth