Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola)
1908–2001
© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2019
License this image
© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2019
License this image
Biography
Balthasar Klossowski de Rola (February 29, 1908 – February 18, 2001), known as Balthus, was a Polish-French modern artist. He is known for his erotically charged images of pubescent girls, but also for the refined, dreamlike quality of his imagery.
Throughout his career, Balthus rejected the usual conventions of the art world. He insisted that his paintings should be seen and not read about, and he resisted any attempts made to build a biographical profile. A telegram sent to the Tate Gallery as it prepared for its 1968 retrospective of his works read:
"NO BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. BEGIN: BALTHUS IS A PAINTER OF WHOM NOTHING IS KNOWN. NOW LET US LOOK AT THE PICTURES. REGARDS B."
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Read full Wikipedia entryArtworks
Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola) Sleeping Girl
1943
Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola) Nude on a Chaise Longue
1950
Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola) Still Life with a Figure
1940
Features
In the mood of the Old Masters: Balthus
The recent Simon Sainsbury bequest that consists of a gift of five paintings to the National Gallery and thirteen to ...
Balthus: a personal view
Denyse Bertoni writes how she got a rare interview with the artist – whose life and work is celebrated at the ...
Tate Etc. issue 13: Summer 2008
TATE ETC Issue 13 Summer 2008: Visiting and revisiting Art, etcetera; online edition of Tate's magazine
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