✨AI Reimagines the Masters✨ Balthus|83/1000

type

status

date

slug

summary

Introduce briefly

Balthus, whose full name was Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, was a Polish-French modern artist known for his unique and controversial style. He was born on February 29, 1908, in Paris, to Prussian expatriate parents [1].

Biography:

Early Years: Balthus grew up in an art-world environment, with frequent visits from famous artists and writers. His father, Erich Klossowski, was an art historian, and his mother, Baladine Klossowska, was descended from Lithuanian Jews. Balthus had an idyllic childhood until the family was forced to leave Paris during World War I. They settled in Switzerland and later moved to Berlin [1].

Young Adulthood: Balthus visited Florence in 1926, where he was inspired by the frescos of Piero della Francesca. He served in the French army in Morocco from 1930 to 1931 and later moved to Paris. Balthus's paintings were realistic but introverted, often depicting pubescent girls in erotic and voyeuristic poses. His work gained recognition and admiration from writers and fellow painters, including André Breton and Pablo Picasso [1].

Notable Works:

"The Guitar Lesson" (1934): This painting caused controversy due to its sadistic and sexually explicit imagery. It depicts a young girl arched over the lap of her female teacher, with the teacher's hands positioned in a provocative manner [1].

"Passage du Commerce-Saint-André" (1952-54): This artwork showcases Balthus's unique style and is one of his well-known pieces [2].

Catalogue Raisonné:

L'Atelier de Balthus, in partnership with Gagosian, is preparing a two-volume catalogue raisonné of Balthus's work to be published in 2023. This updated edition will incorporate in-depth archival research and unveil recently discovered artworks. Collectors with previously unauthenticated or unknown works by Balthus are invited to submit them for potential inclusion in the catalogue raisonné [2].