Nude in Profile 1975

Balthus made this painting, Nude in Profile, at some point, with oil paint, of course. Look at the way the paint seems to float and settle on the surface, it's not overworked, like a fresco. It’s like he's letting the painting happen, not forcing it, which is kind of cool. The colors are muted, like faded memories, and the texture is almost chalky. That little towel she’s holding seems to catch the light, pulling us into the scene. It's a simple gesture, but it feels intimate, like we’re intruding on a private moment. Balthus seems to draw a lot from the Italian Renaissance, Piero della Francesca, but he adds something strange, like a dream you can't quite remember. It's beautiful and unsettling all at once.