Balthus

"A profoundly sensual painter, both in his handling of paint and in his subject matter. What's . . . magnificent here is the artist's sense of eroticism and immense talent." —Booklist

With the death of Balthus in February 2001, the world lost one of the great painters of the 20th century. This book, published in hardcover in 1996 to critical acclaim, offers the widest selection available in print of Balthus's work.

The author, Balthus's son, contributes a new introduction to this expanded paperback edition, which features two additional works: Balthus's last painting, The Waiting, and the controversial Guitar Lesson of 1934. A unique collection of rare personal photographs, including images by the famed photographer Henri Cartier- Bresson, completes this tribute to one of the great artists of recent times.

Olivier Zahm is the cofounder and editor in chief of Purple Fashion. He is an accomplished photographer and has curated exhibitions at art institutions worldwide.

Internationally exhibited Japanese painter Setsuko Klossowska de Rola is the widow of Balthus and the honorary president of the Balthus Foundation.