BALTHUS (1908-2001)

 
<div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div> <div><font face=Lato size=3>"Study for Three Sisters," a 1954 mixed media drawing by Balthus, offers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s preliminary creative process. Executed in pencil with subtle blue watercolor accents, this sketch captures two figures—a reclining woman and a seated child—arranged with a spontaneous yet deliberate energy on a couch. The loose, expressive lines and minimal detailing reveal the immediacy and personality of the subjects, contrasting with the more formal and structured compositions of his final paintings. As a study for the major work "Three Sisters" within a series of significant canvases by the same name, it provides a window into Balthus’ evolution, showcasing how he refined his subjects over time and approached their portrayal with careful consideration. </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3> </font></div><br><br><div><font face=Lato size=3>Balthus, like many avant-garde artists of the early 20th century such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso, saw children as vessels of raw, unformed spirit, untouched by societal constraints, and viewed adolescent themes as a potent source of psychological depth and uninhibited expression. This perspective infuses the drawing with a tender yet enigmatic quality. The provenance includes Nicholas Fox Weber, the acclaimed Balthus biographer, adding historical weight to the piece. A related "sister drawing" is held in the Art Institute of Chicago’s permanent collection, further affirming its significance. This work not only highlights Balthus’ mastery of mixed media but also serves as a compelling study of youth and intimacy, inviting viewers to explore the artist’s thoughtful development of his iconic themes. </font></div>
Estudio para tres hermanas195415 x 12 pulg.(38,1 x 30,48 cm) técnica mixta
Procedencia
Colección Katharine y Nicholas Fox Weber, 1976
Literatura
Virginie Monnier, Jean Clair, & Balthus, Balthus: catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre complet, París, 1999, nº. D741, p. 269

95,000

"Estudio para tres hermanas", dibujo de Balthus realizado en 1954 en técnica mixta, ofrece una visión íntima del proceso creativo preliminar del artista. Realizado a lápiz con sutiles toques de acuarela azul, este boceto capta dos figuras -una mujer reclinada y un niño sentado- dispuestas con una energía espontánea pero deliberada en un sofá. Las líneas sueltas y expresivas y los detalles mínimos revelan la inmediatez y personalidad de los personajes, en contraste con las composiciones más formales y estructuradas de sus cuadros finales. Como estudio para la obra principal "Tres hermanas", dentro de una serie de lienzos significativos del mismo nombre, ofrece una ventana a la evolución de Balthus, mostrando cómo refinó sus temas con el tiempo y abordó su representación con cuidadosa consideración.





Balthus, como muchos artistas vanguardistas de principios del siglo XX, como Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch y Pablo Picasso, veía a los niños como recipientes de un espíritu en bruto y sin formar, al margen de las restricciones sociales, y consideraba los temas de la adolescencia como una potente fuente de profundidad psicológica y expresión desinhibida. Esta perspectiva confiere al dibujo una cualidad tierna y enigmática. La procedencia incluye a Nicholas Fox Weber, el aclamado biógrafo de Balthus, lo que añade peso histórico a la obra. En la colección permanente del Instituto de Arte de Chicago se conserva un "dibujo hermano" relacionado, lo que reafirma aún más su importancia. Esta obra no sólo pone de relieve la maestría de Balthus en la técnica mixta, sino que también constituye un convincente estudio de la juventud y la intimidad, que invita al espectador a explorar el reflexivo desarrollo que el artista hizo de sus temas icónicos.
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