Pita Maha was a Balinese artist association founded on 29 January 1936 in Ubud, Bali. The name “Pita Maha” itself comes from the Kawi language, meaning “Grand Ancestors”. This association played an important role in the development of Balinese painting, especially in introducing different styles and movements of Balinese Painting. Pita Maha was initiated by several important figures including Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Walter Spies, and Rudolf Bonnet. They all had remarkable lives and work, but their stories remain largely unknown to the public. The establishment of Pita Maha was driven by several reasons, including: preserving and developing Balinese painting, creating a distinctive identity for Balinese Painting, and bridging the gap between Balinese artists and the outside world. Now Pita Maha is no longer as active as it used to be. It’s because after world war II, Bali experienced significant political and social change, affecting artisti...