Balthus

Date of Birth: February 29, 1908

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: February 18, 2001

Biography

Balthus, born Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, was a renowned Polish-French modern artist known primarily for his enigmatic paintings that often depicted young girls in dreamlike settings. Born in Paris in 1908, Balthus was the son of Polish art historian Erich Klossowski and painter Elisabeth Dorothea Spiro. His work is noted for its classical technique and the influence of pre-Renaissance artists, such as Piero della Francesca. Despite being controversial, particularly for his depictions of adolescent girls, Balthus maintained a significant influence on 20th-century art. Balthus’s early life was steeped in artistic and intellectual stimulation. He spent much of his childhood in Switzerland, where he began to cultivate his artistic skills. At the age of 12, he published a book of drawings about his cat Mitsou, which was prefaced by the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, a family friend. His career took off in the 1930s, and he held his first major exhibition in Paris in 1934. Balthus’s works are held in high esteem and are included in prestigious collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris.

5 Interesting Facts about Balthus

1. Balthus was largely self-taught, rejecting formal artistic training in favor of personal study and exploration.

2. He served as the Director of the French Academy in Rome at the Villa Medici from 1961 to 1977, revitalizing the institution during his tenure.

3. Balthus’s painting “The Street” (1933) is considered one of his masterpieces and exemplifies his unique, surreal style.

4. He was known for his reclusive nature, often avoiding public appearances and interviews.

5. Despite the controversy surrounding his subject matter, Balthus received numerous accolades and honors, including being named a Commandeur of the Légion d’honneur.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Balthus

1. “Painting is a way of forgetting oneself.”

2. “I always feel the desire to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary things of everyday life.”

3. “To paint is a possessing rather than a picturing.”

4. “One must always draw, draw with the eyes when one cannot draw with a pencil.”

5. “Realism is something profoundly artificial.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Balthus’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $20 million at the peak of his career.

Children

Balthus had two children with his second wife, Setsuko Ideta, a Japanese artist whom he married in 1967. Their children are Fumio (born 1968) and Harumi (born 1973).