A Meregeg painting from the property of a distinguished officer
Along with his cousin Anak Agung Gde Sobrat, Anak Agung Gede Meregeg (Padang Tegal 1912 - 2000) Meregeg were the two defining artists of the Ubud style. Apparently, they were the first two artists in Padangtegal that Walter Spies met in Bali in the early 1930s and Spies’ influence can be seen in their early works prior to 1940’s. The two Balinese artists became members of the Pita Maha.
A village dancer, after the second world war Meregeg returned to Wayang painting. During this time, his wayang figures accurately followed the cannons of wayang traditions, but his background were seemed natural and realistic, showing Bonnet's influence. Later the his background so became even more reduced.
This painting was collected in the 1950s by a distinguished officer who later became the victim of the 1965 attempted Coup. Only recently has this painting been uncovered, after more than 50 years in storage
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