Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts displays fine examples of all schools of Balinese art. You just need to look at the lush composition of 'Balinese Market' by Anak Agung Gde Sobrat to see the vibrancy of local painting. It was in Ubud that the modern Balinese art movement started; where artists first began to abandon purely religious themes and court subjects for scenes of everyday life.

Rudolf Bonnet was part of the Pita Maha artists' cooperative, and together with Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati (a prince of Ubud's royal family) they helped to establish a permanent collection

The first pavilion straight ahead as you enter has a collection of early works from Ubud and the surrounding villages. These include examples of classical wayang-style paintings, fine ink drawings by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad and paintings by Pita Maha artists. Notice the level of detail in Lempad's The Dream of Dharmawangsa.

The second pavilion on the left has some colourful examples of the 'Young Artist' style of painting and a good selection of 'modern traditional' works.

The third pavilion on the right has classical and traditional paintings and is used for special exhibitions.

The museum's collection is well-curated and labelled in English, and some of the artwork is often for sale. The museum has a good bookshop and a café.