Nude in Front of a Mantel
Balthus
BALTHUS, 1955. OIL ON CANVAS.
Paintings should be seen and not read about, so believed Balthus. He rejected many conventions of the art world throughout his career and only towards the very end of his long life did he begin to talk about his work in any traditional way. Yet Balthus’ work was talked about by others, both in adoration and controversy. Depicting the physical and psychological struggles of adolescence, Balthus paintings of young people are erotically charged, yet never explicit. The narrative scenes are disquieting and uncomfortable as he casts the viewer as a voyeur, yet in a classical, figurative style they are dreamlike and technically beautiful works. A loner and outsider, Balthus’ own reluctance to discuss his work increased their mythology and infamy. When the artist stays quiet, it is us who must consider the work most deeply.