The street 1933

Balthus made 'The Street' in 1933 with oil on canvas, and what grabs me is how he orchestrates the composition like a theatrical set. The paint has a matte, almost fresco-like quality, which flattens the space and gives the scene a dreamlike atmosphere. Look at how he renders the figures – they're stiff, doll-like, with these strange, blank expressions. They remind me of puppets waiting for their strings to be pulled. In particular, the girl playing with the paddle, she is doll-like and uncanny. Balthus's work always feels like a strange, personal vision, a bit like de Chirico, but with a more perverse edge. In the end, the best paintings stay open, resisting easy answers and allowing us to bring our own experiences to the table.