The history of this place is started at 1936 from a foundation call “Pita Maha” by Rudolf Bonnet, Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati
and
Tjokorda Gde Raka
Sukawati. Following Second World War, a new organization “Ubud Painters Group” was created by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad under auspices of Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati and Rudolf Bonnet.
In 1953 there was first another foundation called Yayasan Ratna Wartha to carry out the role and uphold the ideals of "Pita Maha" and to build a museum of modern Balinese art, designed by Rudolf Bonnet.
In 1954, the name of museum was “Puri Lukisan" (palace of painting), from this time Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati became director of the museum and Bonnet the curator of museum.
Museum Puri Lukisan shows with its collection (painting and woodcarvings) the important developments of Balinese arts which is unique and priceless. Nowadays within the rapid changes in the art world the museum is active in organizing exhibitions of local artists.
The collection numbers an amount of paintings and woodcarvings of outstanding quality, which found their origin in the beginning of this century. These art pieces were collected by Rudolf Bonnet during his years as a curator for the museum. Bonnet tried to inspire Balinese art by selecting and promoting the artists. Thanks to his artistic talent Bonnet achieved to create fully inspiration for the Balinese artists, whom results are shown as permanent collection in the Museum Puri Lukisan.
The Puri Lukisan Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary. First opened to the public on January 31, 1956, it is the oldest museum in Ubud. To mark a half-century of accomplishments, the museum host three important exhibitions during the summer of 2008, with the grand opening on July 14, 2008.
The museum organizes different art events in order to carry out its task in an educational way and always cooperating with local schools and artists.The museum organizes different workshops in painting, carving, dancing, music, batik painting and making offerings. These workshops are available for groups of adults and/or children upon request and will be given by professional Balinese renowned artists in museum garden.
Museum Puri Lukisan is located in the main street, Jalan Raya Ubud, in the cultural village in central Bali, Ubud. The cultural heartland Ubud is located 30 km from Denpasar and 40 km from the airport.
The museum is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., except for the Balinese holidays such as Nyepi-day and Galungan and Kuningan days.