The mothBalthus · 1959
Post-Impressionism
1959
Balthus (1908 – 2001)
Polish-French surrealist known for dreamlike, eroticized compositions of adolescent girls and elongated figures rendered with classical precision.
About this artwork
- Title: The moth
- Artist: Balthus
- Year: 1959
- Format: Portrait
- Copyright status: Under copyright
- Creative period: Mature Period
- Corpus context: exploration of the human psyche, contrasting sensuality and restraint
- Keywords: art deco style, dreamlike painting, balthus painting
- Perceived brightness: bright
- Topics: classical composition, symbolic art, dim lighting
Questions & Answers
Does "The moth" show strong light-dark contrasts?
The light-dark contrast of "The moth" is recorded as balanced. Contrast describes how strongly light and dark areas differ.
Where does "The moth" fall in Balthus's career?
Within Balthus's career, "The moth" falls in the Mature Period. The phase helps compare it with the artist's other works.
At what age did Balthus make "The moth"?
Balthus made "The moth" at the age of 51. The artist was born in 1908 and the work is dated 1959.