A Market Scene in Jayaprana

A painting of marketplace scene depicting a tragic tale from north Bali about a commoner, Jayaprana who was brought to the royal court by the Raja (king) because of his good looks and artistic talents. He met a beautiful Layonsari at a marketplace. They fell in love and married quickly. The Raja, who also fell in love with Layonsari, had Jayaprana murdered out of jealousy. Discovering the Raja’s plot, Layonsari took her own life in grief. The Raja then committed suicide out of guilt.

The influence of celebrated Balinese artist I Nyoman Lesug is strong in the painting. The people are drawn with good anatomical proportion and deep perspective in addition to the predominating light red.