A selection of the paintings of Balthus is accompanied by a brief analysis of his artistic style

Balthus (ICON EDITIONS)

DE ROLA, Stanislas Klossowski

Icon.

Balthus

One of the greatest living painters, Balthus is also one of the most elusive. Though his haunting depictions of adolescent girls are familiar to many, few know about Balthus the man. He leads an exceedingly private life, rarely giving interviews or allowing photographs to be taken of him. As a result, both his life and his work are the subject of unceasing controversy, intrigue and speculation. This work, written by Balthus's eldest son, provides an insight into the mind and work of the artist. Expanding and bringing up-to-date the research done for a book published a decade ago, he brings together one of the widest selections of Balthus's work ever presented - landscapes, street scenes, still lifes and women - from the 1930s to the present. All the most important pictures, including the most recent, are combined with a new photographic section showing Balthus at work as a young artist in his studio - with rare images from photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson.

History

THAMES HUDSON LTD

This book is a thorough overview of the work of Balthus (b. 1908), the elusive painter whose fascinating images of young women were first greatly admired by the Surrealists, and have remained so today. This controversial artist is exceedingly reclusive, and until the last decade rarely gave interviews or allowed himself to be photographed. As a result, both his life and his work have been the subject of much intrigue and speculation. Now, his eldest son, Stanislas Klossowski de Rola, offers privileged insights into the art and thought of this remarkable man. Here is the widest selection of Balthus's work ever published: landscapes, street scenes, still lifes, and women, from the 1930s to the present, including all his most important paintings of the last ten years. A unique collection of rare photographs presents the young Balthus in his studio, as well as in recent images taken by his friend Henri Cartier-Bresson and other photographers. The art of Balthus - private, hermetic, evocative, mysterious - lends itself to both deep readings and simple appreciation. The artist himself has always resisted the former, remaining convinced that the paintings should speak for themselves. But, bowing to the demands of a career that has encompassed major retrospective exhibitions at the Tate Gallery, London, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, he has assisted his son in the creation of this book.

Arts & Photography

Individual Artists

Harry N.Abrams, Inc.

See notes

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by DE ROLA, Stanislas Klossowski. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by DE ROLA, Stanislas Klossowski