died 2001
Balthus, born Balthasar Klossowski de Rola on February 29, 1908, in Paris, France, was a Polish-French painter renowned for his enigmatic and often provocative depictions of young girls. His distinctive style blends elements of realism and symbolism, characterized by a dreamlike quality and meticulous attention to detail. Balthus remains a significant figure in 20th-century art, celebrated for challenging traditional boundaries in painting and exploring complex themes of innocence and desire until his death on February 18, 2001.