Balthus

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

I am sure you must know about Balthus already, but I was reminded of his work after looking at Garth Herrick's "Tom at Eleven" painting, so I though I would post two of Balthus' images here. He's interesting, had a yummy technique, and is controversial, not to mention being one of the world's best-known and most influential portrait / figure painters.

Balthazar Klossowski de Rola (February 29, 1908 in Paris

[Garth Herrick]

Hi Thomasin,

Gosh, thanks for the association, perhaps undeserving, but I am very flattered to be mentioned in the same paragraph as Balthus; one of my all time favorite painters too. Some consider him among the best painters ever. When I studied at PAFA, another student, Brett Bigbee, was everyone's envy because he could paint so much like Balthus, and still does! Balthus's images always haunt me, much as they do for you. Here is a favorite from 1955, "Frederique", so beautifully understated, and if I may say, sensuous.

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Thomasin Dewhurst

I am sure you must know about Balthus already, but I was reminded of his work after looking at Garth Herrick's "Tom at Eleven" painting,...

Again Thomasin,

Thanks for the association. Now that you mention it, the angularity of Balthus' wonderful compositions of legs, knees, and arms in his paintings of Therese, do seem to relate to the angular jumble of arms and legs in my "Apotheoun" . I think it's purely coincidental on my part; just a happy accident, but flattering just the same for you to make that kind of comparison. There is also the undeniable psychological charge in Balthus' works, open to varied interpretation. I think mine pales by comparison, but I have overheard some pretty interesting conversations in front of my painting with some imaginative insights to the alleged psychology behind it. (Sometimes I've just smiled and not admitted I painted it).

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Here are two real portraits by Balthus,

Henri Matisse, and
Juan Miro and Daughter

Garth