Bali Traditional Painting

If you look at Bali traditional paintings, then there are a few characteristics that stand out . For example, First, many of his paintings show detail with contour ( line ) illustrative firm. Second, the perspective paintings barely know . For example, according to the theory, the object being painted should be getting much smaller. But in traditional paintings, objects in the foreground and in the distance, still the same size. For example again, object painting should be getting much more blurred color. But in traditional Balinese painting, the background field that seemed far behind a farmer, still painted with bright colors lit.

In addition to the above, there are also other characteristics beyond the technical painting itself. Namely the ancient Balinese painters generally considered painting , sculpting, carving, sculpture as part of the religion. As a form of worship of the gods . Or as a form of devotion to the nobles. Therefore Balinese paintings in the past generally range about ceremonies, rituals and events from epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

At first traditional artists create paintings, sculptures , carvings and engravings not intended to be sold or used commercially. Worse yet, if there are tourists who came and asked for a piece of the local artists working order it without asking for anything. In the past, the traditional painters is also not include a signature and date / year on their paintings. Moreover, given the title of a work, is also not known .

The above situation was beginning to change with the influx of European artists to Bali. Roughly in the 1920s, the charm of Balinese artists began to reach the ears of Europe . Further European artists began to arrive even later chose to settle on the island . Only a few names. Rudolf Bonnet, Walter Spies, Arie Smit, Le Majeur, Antonio Blanco and several other names.

Of the name, a Dutch painter Rudolf Bonnet, and German painters and music experts Walter Spies, judged meritorious contribute their knowledge to the development of art in Bali .