Balthus Sold at Auction Prices

Painter, b. 1908 - d. 2001

(b Paris 29 Feb., 1908; d 19 Feb., 2001) French painter of the 20th century, Balthus was best know for his controversial paintings of young girls and his associations with great Modern artists like Picasso and Dali. His style was more traditional and figurative than that of his cubist and surrealist contemporaries. He focused on landscapes, still-lifes, and portraits, depicting everyday scenes from contemporary life with a sense of mystery and eroticism. His manner of painting was considered classical and he was largely self-taught, having copied masterpieces at the Louvre as a young artist. Balthus’career flourished more in the United States than in Europe where he was mostly known only to his fellow artists. New York art dealer Pierre Matisse, son of Henri Matisse, gave Balthus several one-man shows in the 1930s and he was later the subject of exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.