Walter Spies was a Russian-born German primitivist painter, composer, musicologist, and curator. Fusing elements of Primitivism with modernist techniques, he created atmospheric works that captured Bali's mystical essence. Spies is often credited with attracting the attention of Western cultural figures to Balinese art and culture in the 1930s, hosting anthropologists, actors, artists, and other cultural figures. His influence extended to the direction of Balinese art and drama, shaping its modern development.