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.