mimpimanis
Hi
Does anyone have a telephone number for the above museum? The number listed in the phone book is wrong.
Thanks in advance.
tintin
The # I have is 286201.
Roy
The number Daniel provided is the number listed in the fairly recent book, Treasures of Bali which is a guide to the museums of Bali.
mimpimanis
That's the number I have but for the last few days it has constantly been on "the number you have called is busy - please try later" maybe it is just out of order, then. I will keep trying.
Thanks
Roy
[quote]"maybe it is just out of order"[/quote]
Given the deplorable manner in which they have preserved and conserved the Le Mayeur paintings there, that would be of no surprise to me.
tintin
The Indonesian (Balinese) Government is supposed to be the trustee of the property and its assets. Briefly stated, the place is a disaster. How can such artistic (and, yes, historical) treasures be allowed to disintegrate in full view?
milan
Any pics to show?
SG
[quote=tintin]The Indonesian (Balinese) Government is supposed to be the trustee of the property and its assets. Briefly stated, the place is a disaster. How can such artistic (and, yes, historical) treasures be allowed to disintegrate in full view?[/quote]
Sounds like the historic buildings of old Batavia.
Roy
Yes and no Simon. Emotions of historic preservation put aside, the economies by comparing what goes on in “old Batavia” versus the Le Mayeur holdings at the Le Mayeur museum in Sanur are as different as night and day.
For at least the last ten years, the international auction record of oils painted in Bali by Le Mayeur have skyrocketed, and the record is over US $1 million for one painting.
In many ways it’s ironic that the home, and now, Le Mayeur museum on the shores of Sanur...which while once providing Le Mayeur with more incentive than an artist could hope for, (and driven by his young teenage wife, Ni Pollack), has been the same reason for their utter deterioration and neglect. That is of course the sea side environment. .
Six years ago I was asked to present to an Indonesian governmental agency an estimate of the value at then current market trends at international auctions for the Le Mayeur paintings at this “museum.” My report was presented at two levels: A) The current state of these paintings, and B) The state they should/would be in if properly cared for since his death in 1958. Without pointing fingers at blame, which is not advisable for us “guests” I came up with US $ 1.300,000 million on part A, and with B) US $65,000,000 at minimum.
Le Mayeur literally paneled the walls of his home in Sanur with “built in” paintings in much the manner one might use chamfered wood panels. These were all painted on coarse fiber “canvases” and even locally available materials. All of these “panels” represent the absolute best of his Balinese work, and after all, he kept them as an integral part of his home. They are all ruined beyond at least 60% possible restoration, which factors down to their being what they now are...crumbs and bits.
On one hand I get very emotional and angry about this utter travesty, but on the other hand, and when my “Bali hat” is on, I can also sense that it maybe that this was the best thing to happen. By that I mean it could be best that what Le Mayeur and Ni Pollack shared in Bali should well remain private and only partially imaginable.
Here is an image of the latest Le Mayeur we have acquired. This is from his latest period, circa 1950 until his death in 1958. This painting came to us from a great Balinese collection, and the family of Ni Pollack, Le Mayeur’s wife.
You may also not that I have been working on cleaning this painting, evident in the upper right, both from its over varnish accumulations of dirt and nicotine, but also the varnish itself which turns yellow over time. His wife, Ni Pollack, is unmistakably identified in the upper right segment of the composition. Cheers!
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1189611/LeMayeur.jpg
tintin
Excellent update on Le Mayeur's work. Thank you very much. :)
SG
[quote=tintin]Excellent update on Le Mayeur's work. Thank you very much. :)[/quote]
Agreed Roy, that was a rewarding read. My point was a slightly larger one, that I could've made less obscurely, and that is that it is a crime how little effort Indonesia, a nation that takes great pride in it's nationhood, puts into it's enormous heritage be it paintings in Sanur or 400 year old buildings in old Batavia which are slowly crumbling to dust.
Roy
You have my total agreement about that. On the other hand, the tropical climate here is brutal on art objects...from architecture to works on paper and everything in between. Also, there is so much here worthy of preservation. Where will the money come from?
As far as the Le Mayeur museum goes, there are no excuses. They could easily have de-accessioned just ONE of the paintings at auction and then could have well afforded climate control within the museum rooms as well as conservation of all the remaining works.
From time to time I get criticized for shipping out art works from Indonesia. Hell, in my mind most of those works have a far better chance of survival now than they would have if left here to rot. Cheers!
SG
[quote]Where will the money come from?[/quote]
as far as the VOC buildings in Jakarta are concerned I would've thought that, even out of shame, the Dutch government would've been prepared, if someone asked, to chip in. Globally there are plenty of places a government or owner with stunning buildings that were the nerve centre of one of the greatest trading empires of its time could go with a hand out, both private and commercial.
And the concept of such a place as the gateway to the 1000 islands is a tourism mecca in waiting. That area at the top of Kota, old Batavia is incredible both in what is there and in it's potential for Indonesia.
If only someone actually gave a damn.
Roy
That sounds like a great idea to me. Maybe Bert can pass on your suggestion?
Bert Vierstra
To who?
Roy
[quote]To who?[/quote]
Don't know anyone in the Dutch government?
Do you know Dave Kuper here in Ubud? He’s a Swiss expat and somehow was able to get the Swiss government to donate 200,000 US into the waste recycling project in Gianyar.
Bert Vierstra
[quote=Roy]
Don't know anyone in the Dutch government?
[/quote]
No. I don't...
SG
Maybe a letter to a Dutch newspaper, strongly worded, might help..or getting a Dutch historic society of some sorts onboard...just thoughts....
Roy
Hey Simon, do you think there is a VOC veterans group? :lol: :lol:
Bert Vierstra
Roy, please...
I know you are only kidding, but still...
All too often you refer to me as being Dutch, and put [i]me[/i] one or another way in a "historical perspective". :cry:
And now there is something very stupid I am going to say, and this of course will be used against me, [size=7]but I am one quarter German..[/size] :roll:
