Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès (1880–1958) was a Belgian painter best known for his depictions of Bali, particularly its landscapes, daily life, and female figures in Sanur. Born in Brussels, he studied art before travelling extensively across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in the early 1930s and eventually settled in Sanur. There, he met Ni Pollok, a Legong dancer who became one of his most important models and later his wife. Their life together in Bali became a major part of Le Mayeur’s artistic journey and strongly influenced the imagery that appeared throughout his work.
His paintings are recognized for their bright colours, tropical light, lush gardens, beaches, flowers, and depictions of Balinese women. Much of his work was inspired by the surroundings of his home and studio in Sanur, giving his paintings an intimate connection to the environment in which he lived. His impressionistic approach and strong use of light created a warm, decorative, and distinctive visual style.
Throughout his career, Le Mayeur exhibited his works internationally and attracted the attention of collectors. His former home in Sanur later became the Le Mayeur Museum, which preserves many of his paintings, personal belongings, and the story of his life with Ni Pollok. Le Mayeur passed away in 1958, but his legacy remains an important part of the history of Balinese art and the development of Bali’s visual representation in modern painting.