Fadli Zon Highlights Conservation of Le Mayeur’s Works in Bali

RRI.CO.ID, Denpasar - Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, has highlighted the need to strengthen conservation efforts for the artworks of Belgian maestro Adrien Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès at the Le Mayeur Museum in Denpasar, Bali. During his visit to the museum, Fadli inspected the condition of the collection and identified fading colors in several paintings as one of the key conservation challenges.

Based on the release received by RRI VOI l in Jakarta, Monday, August 31, 2026, Fadli said some of Le Mayeur’s paintings require further conservation treatment to preserve their original character and colors. He noted that several works were created on materials other than conventional canvas, including sack-like materials that were used when canvas was difficult to obtain during World War II.

“One of the challenges is the fading of the colors. If we look at the original colors, they were very strong, but we can also see that some of the colors have faded,” Fadli said.

To assess the condition of the artworks and determine the conservation measures needed, the Ministry of Culture plans to send a team from the National Gallery of Indonesia to the museum. Fadli said the location of the museum near the beach also presents additional challenges in maintaining and conserving the authentic works.

“The Le Mayeur paintings are authentic works. Since they are located near the beach, there are certainly particular challenges in terms of their maintenance and conservation,” Fadli said.

Beyond conservation, Fadli also highlighted the relatively low number of visitors to the museum, which currently averages around 100 visitors per month. Most visitors are foreign tourists, particularly from Europe, prompting the Ministry of Culture to strengthen promotion so that Le Mayeur’s life, artistic journey, and works can reach a wider audience.

Le Mayeur settled in Bali in 1933 after traveling to various countries and later met Ni Nyoman Pollok, a Legong dancer who became his wife and a prominent model in his paintings. The couple built a home on the coast of Sanur, which became both Le Mayeur’s residence and studio, where he produced Impressionist-style works depicting Balinese women, local life, cultural expressions, and the island’s natural beauty.

Today, the Le Mayeur Museum preserves 88 artworks along with various belongings associated with the Belgian maestro. The Indonesian Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Bali Provincial Government, is seeking to strengthen the museum’s role as a center for cultural preservation, education, and public appreciation while safeguarding the artistic and historical heritage that reflects the cultural encounter between Le Mayeur and Bali.