BALTHUS 1908-2009

Balthus is a 20th-century figurative painter, presented by HELENE BAILLY gallery. Born Balthasar Klossowski de Rola on February 29, 1908, in Paris, he passed away on February 18, 2001, in Rossinière, Switzerland.

Of Polish origin and from a family of intellectuals and artists, he is often regarded as one of the most enigmatic painters of the 20th century. Growing up in an artistic environment—his father was an art historian, and his mother was close to numerous artists—Balthus was exposed to the cultural avant-garde from an early age.

Largely self-taught, Balthus developed a unique style, influenced by Renaissance masters such as Piero della Francesca and the Italian Primitives. In contrast to the abstract trends of his time, he opted for a mysterious and introspective figurative art, often imbued with a poetic realism. His most famous works, such as La Rue (1933) and Les Enfants Blanchard (1937), depict young girls in ambiguous and often unsettling poses, evoking both fascination and controversy. These intimate and introspective compositions, tinged with a certain strangeness, explore the boundary between innocence and eroticism.

Despite the controversies, Balthus is recognized for his exceptional talent in capturing the beauty and mystery of adolescence, using light and form with remarkable mastery. Over his career, he received numerous distinctions and was appointed Director of the French Academy in Rome in 1961, where he managed Villa Medici for sixteen years. Balthus left a lasting mark on art history with his stylistic independence and the aura of mystery surrounding both his life and work, making him one of the most singular figures of the last century.