Balthus, whose birth name was Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, was a Polish-french modern artist. Born in Paris in 1908 to Polish parents, Balthus grew up in an art world environment thanks to his father’s career as an art historian. His unusual portrayals of broody, pubescent girls have shocked and delighted the world since his first work was published in 1921 at the age of 13.
Despite the reclusive artist rejecting the usual conventions of the art world, his work skirts the line between surrealism and realism executed with his self-taught classicism.
Balthus is most well-known for his subject matter of pubescent girls depicted in erotic and sometimes shocking, scenes and poses. The imagery in his paintings takes on a dreamlike quality that makes his work popular with fans of surrealism. Balthus stunned audiences in his first gallery exhibition at Gallerie Pierre, Paris in 1934, and continued to do so for the entirety of his 60-year career.
While the subject matter of Balthus’ work may be shocking to some, this is the artist’s attempt to portray the physical and mental struggles that come with adolescence while positioning the viewer as a voyeur to this turbulent time in one’s development.
He insisted that his work was not erotic but that it recognized the uncomfortable facts surrounding children’s sexuality.
The blend between realism and surrealism comes in the form of Balthus painting scenes with realistic characters and techniques to depict psychological or dream-like themes and ideas. This is a technique that was also used by the famous surrealist Salvador Dali.
Balthus died in Switzerland in 2001 at the age of 92. His funeral was a high-profile affair, with prime ministers and rockstars alike in attendance to celebrate the prolific artist’s life and work. Here are some famous artworks by Balthus:
1. The Street
The Street by Balthus in the year 1933 was his first large painting and was one of several that scandalized audiences when it was included in the artist’s earliest solo exhibition and hence is in the list of famous artworks by Balthus
2. guitar lesson
‘Guitar lesson’ was created in 1934 by Balthus in Surrealism style.
3. Patience
The Patience was created by Balthus is the year 1943.
4. The Cat In The Mirror
The Cat in the Mirror was created in 1990 by Balthus in Expressionism style.
5. Nude With a Guitar
The Nude With a Guitar was made by Balthus in the year 1986 in expressionism style.
6. Young Girl Asleep
Young Girl Asleep was made in the year 1994 By Balthus.
7. Nude With A Silk Scarf
Nude With A Silk Scarf was made in the year 1982 by Balthus.
8. Sleeping Nude
‘Sleeping Nude’ was created in 1980 by Balthus in Expressionism style.
9. Great Composition With Corbel
‘Great composition with corbel’ was created in the year 1985 by Balthus in Surrealism style.
10. The First Communicants
‘The First Communicants’ was created in 1926 by Balthus in Expressionism style.
11. The Barracks
‘The Barracks’ was created in 1933 by Balthus in Metaphysical art style.
12. The Fear Of Ghosts
The Fear Of Ghosts was made on an oil canvas in the year 1933 by Balthus in Surrealism style.
13. Lady Abdy
‘Lady Abdy’ was produced by Balthus in the year 1935.
14. Cathy
‘Cathy’ was created in the year 1935 by Balthus in Expressionism style.
15. The King Of Cats
The King Of Cats made in the year 1935 by Balthus shows him standing in an elegant outfit, one hand holding his jacket lapel, the other on his hip.
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