Balthus Cats and Girls at the Metropolitan Museum of

James Kalm has been a fan of the Work of Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, 1908-2001) since the late 1960s. Representing a confluence of restrained classic figuration and Surrealistic erotic narrative, Balthus looms as a painterly enigma over the second half of twentieth century art. This exhibition presents works that were painted in France between the mid 1930s and 1960, and focuses on the repeated theme of "Cats and Girls". A series of ink drawing created when the artist was only eleven years old, and thought lost, are also presented. The exhibition is made possible by the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust, the Tana Matisse Foundation, and Diane Carol Brandt.

[@reinadegrillos]

Very nice approach and comments. I love Balthus and you made him justice!

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

Thanks for this. Wish they would put a retrospective show on in the UK.

[@simonegad]

another beautiful exhibition-love balthus and this series of cats and girls. wonderful video also

[@pjr5913]

greeat show that harp was excellent also

[@mconesa52]

He had a unique way and style with the human figure.

[@awildacruzcruz2859]

Beautiful ❤️😍! Thanks Kate. Thanks for the effort of making it there.

[@judiemanulkin5575]

Wish I was living in NY. I have loved Balthus for years and would surely be there now!
Dr. Judie Manulkin( Docent at The High Museum).

[@johnlewis9650]

Meaty, rich figurative work. As was mentioned; timeless.

[@lukerandall2109]

I really enjoy your videos. Very informative and wonderfully reflective. Not to mention Balthus' extraordinary work.....mystic and enchanting

[@jcbravo9072]

Wonderful !!!

[@michaelroberts8300]

Thank you James.

[@evegriffin5236]

So great to see! Wonderful commentary. Thank you for making and posting this. Unfortunately, the constant movement of the camera made me nauseous and I couldn't finish watching.

[@crystallizationofthesoul7095]

Someone tell me that the artist is not a pedophile and yes I'm an artist as well!
glasstire.com/2017/03/27/an-incomplete-guide-to-critiquing-painting-in-tumultuous-times/

[@hannsoonsmokur8625]

thanks for this preview

[@SIEBEGORMEN]

Sadly due to the zeitgeist this may be the last great Balthus exhibition for some time

[@giuseppevio7708]

Grande pittore molto suggestivo e pieno di mistero.
Molto bella anche la musica di sottofondo, mi piacerebbe sapere che brano musicale è.
Grazie.

[@scottjohnson6563]

Asking for a Balthus catalog at Pierre Matisse in the 70s, was corrected by an older gentleman behind the counter, "it is Balthu", ...the s is silent in the French pronunciation.

[@pietervoogt]

Thank you

[@ebbelaurssoerensen3908]

Great and beautifull

[@sirnubenegra]

Thanks

[@jackchorn]

thanks for the videos.
I often find myself pausing to look at the work, which is fine, but many times there is not a straight on shot of the whole piece which can be frustrating. It is nice you move around at angles so to see the textures and other otherwise wouldn't be able to see.
and who is Kate?

[@williamwoody7607]

Could someone please tell what the young woman was playing on her harp in the park? Thank you.

[@ronaldchapman2806]

Quite magnificently rich and sensuous paintings, with intelligent and sensitive commentary, unfortunately marred by a hurried an over-excited camera. Balthus demands silence and stillness, or a slow and steady zoom, with dissolves to details. The makings of a superb film, ruined by the execution.

[@hermes99093]

Grande pittura.

[@fuktface]

so that's where freud got his swag from....

[@Nolliewoodasdf]

Museum of.... of... what? Please clarify

[@user-tu1cw1kp1q]

26.10.2020.

[@juliopirohemmemoria3260]

an awful recording destroyed everithing in the constanst moving, just a pity!

[@maync1]

Ah well, give this one a miss.

[@lexxsaintleonard2416]

I dont understand why these works are being celebrated, it seems very obvious that he was using his role as an artist to have access to young girls. These paintings are so predatory. Nothing ive read about him has touched on this. His technical skill is undeniable but thats not what makes an artist important. Thank you for your videos I just need some help understanding this.

[@johnkennedy8321]

There as far as I’ve studied of him never been a report of impropriety towards his sitters, always a gentleman and aristocratic. His paintings study and dramatize the transition from youth to adulthood. Not through sexualized act but through understanding and inflection.

[@lexxsaintleonard2416]

@@johnkennedy8321 I don't see how his work shows understanding of an adolescent girl's experience, they read as explicitly sexualized and are clearly painted from a voyeuristic perspective. I can tell you from first hand experience, these do not resonate as understanding of adolescent self discovery, they feel like sexualized fantasies of girlhood.

[@perditachavez]

Balthus complained many times how americans put gloss varnish over his works, and indeed it doesn't look like it supposed to be.. but well they paid for the art, i guess they do what they want after