He also began to settle and hang out with the people of Ubud, both ordinary citizens and from the palace (puri). Everyday he talks a lot with local people, watching various performing arts, or visiting Puri Saren Ubud to deepen his knowledge about Balinese culture. Antonio Blanco himself is known to be very familiar with the King of Puri Saren Ubud, namely Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati who often take him for a walk around Ubud area. At one time, Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati took him along the hills. When they reached the top, they witnessed an enchanting landscape, the cool and calm hills with the Campuhan River just below it. Without warning, King Puri Saren Ubud gave a piece of land over the Campuhan River to Antonio Blanco. Since then, was built a simple hut as a residence and painting studio for this Balinese painting maestro
Visit Antonio Blanco Museum, tourists will be amazed at the work of genius Antonio Blanco. His long career and long wandering path make Antonio Blanco very mature in pouring his artworks. No wonder if as an artist himself obtained various appreciations and awards in the international world. The awards include Tiffany Fellowship, Chevalier du Sahametrai from Cambodia, Society of Painters of Fine Art Quality from President Soekarno, and Prize of the Art Critique from Spain, Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy (PH.D) from National College Windsor, Canada, and others. Antonio Blanco also received the Cruz de Caballero award from King of Spain Juan Carlos I who gave him the title 'Don' in front of his name, becoming Don Antonio Blanco. Various appreciations from heads of state and artists have also been received, for example from Thalia Como from Venezuela, Soekarno, Soeharto, Adam Malik (all three former leaders in Indonesia), Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, Michael Jackson, and Ingrid Bergman (both artists). Don Antonio Blanco is also known to master a variety of languages, ranging from Spanish, French, English, Tagalog, Indonesian, to the language of Bali.
Visiting this museum, tourists can witness about 300 collections of Antonio Blanco paintings made between 1937 and 1999 showing the stages of aesthetic achievement from the start of his career to the most up-to-date work. Entering the front gate of the museum, tourists will soon be greeted by a very natural atmosphere. The various pets of Antonio Blanco, such as the golden macaw bird, the king's cockatoo, and the white cockatoo seem to welcome the tourists' visits with the chirp and style typical of these beautiful animals.
From the front of the museum, you can see a solid gate made of marble stone with the curves of the lines that make up the signature of Antonio Blanco. Unique gate that has been awarded Museum of World Records Indonesia (MURI) was as incarnated as the words 'Welcome' from the late Antonio Blanco. After filling in the attendance list, the tourists will be guided by a staff member to browse the works and provide explanations about the work exhibited in this museum. Entering the museum, tourists are prohibited photographing for the existing paintings are not easily damaged because of over light.
Antonio Blanco's paintings are on display on the first and second floors. The theme of the paintings is generally exploring Balinese women's bodies, including his wife (Ni Rondji) and his first daughter, Tjempaka Blanco. His brilliant exploration of the female body objects drove him as a famous painter with a 'romantic impressionist' stream. his love for the female figure is because he was in the womb for 11 months, so he considers the woman is a figure full of sacrifices. Thanks to the same interest in art and the ability to bring the beauty of the female body, said President Soekarno often visit Antonio Blanco for just chatting or seeing the results of his paintings. President Soekarno is known to have a considerable interest in the portrayal of female figures. In addition to the female body, there are also some paintings that describe the nature and culture of Bali.
The expressive character of his paintings is also equipped with a special painting frame. Unlike most paintings, each of Antonio Blanco's works is framed with a different special frame on each painting. The frame of the painting is self-designed to follow the theme of the painting to match what the artist wants to convey. Each painting does not include a date or year. It is said that he hopes that his paintings will always be remembered not from the date or year of manufacture, but from the aesthetic achievement so that will be remembered immortal.
In a corner of the room, there is a separate room called "Erotic Room". Yes, as the name implies, in this special room is displayed a variety of private Antonio Blanco with a more "wild" theme, which depicts the beauty of the body of men and women. Because of the unusual collection, the visitors who may enjoy this room are required to be over the age of 17 years. Another room that displays a glimpse of the Blanco family and career journey is a room featuring photos of Antonio Blanco, family photos, and photos of important people around Antonio Blanco's life and careers.
From the room photos, tourists can go to another room, namely the room Mario Blanco (second son Antonio Blanco) which became a place to display paintings by the son of the painting mestro. Mario Blanco did inherit the blood of art from his father. However, unlike Antonio, Mario Blanco mostly explores subjects with a three-dimensional look. In the last room, tourists can see the studio used to paint Antonio Blanco. Currently, the studio is used by Mario Blanco. In this room, tourists can take pictures, or photographed with the style of a master painter.
Visit this museum, after paying the entrance ticket, tourists will get welcome drink in the form of refreshing syrup. Not only that, tourists will also be accompanied by a guide who is ready to deliver and tell about the works of Antonio Blanco. The guides who are still Antonio Blanco family members will also tell the history of Antonio Blanco's life since the beginning of his career, to settle and die in Bali.
After enjoying the works of Antonio Blanco, tourists can see the souvenir provided in this museum, such as books about Antonio Blanco and duplicate photo painting (lithograph) by Antonio Blanco who got a bonus signature from his successor, Mario Blanco. Mario Blanco is more often located in studios adjacent to the museum, so tourists can also chat about the work or the development of the painting world. The museum is also equipped with various facilities, such as auditorium, library, laboratory / conservation, collection storage space, workshop / preparation room, audio visual room, administration room, cafeteria / cafe and toilet. In this museum also has been equipped with a souvenir shop that sells various Balinese handicrafts
Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00
Location : Jalan Raya Penestanan No.8, Sayan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Website : http://www.blancomuseum.com
Website : http://www.blancomuseum.com
How to get there : Tourists can take advantage of various means of transportation from Denpasar City, Ngurah Rai Airport, or other places in Bali by taxi, travel agency services, or car and motor rental. From Ngurah Rai Airport, the museum is located about 40 kilometers (about 1 hour drive), while from Gianyar Bus Terminal about 30 kilometers (about 45 minutes drive).