Self-portrait 1940

In this self-portrait Balthus, brush in hand, captures himself in a moment of quiet concentration. It looks like he's painting with muted greens and browns to give the piece a timeless feel. The paint isn't too thick, but you can see the texture and the way he's built up the layers. I imagine Balthus staring intently at his reflection, trying to capture something essential about himself. Maybe he's thinking about the weight of tradition, about how to make a mark that's both personal and universal. Notice how he holds the brush—it's almost like an extension of his own hand. A gentle curve of the arm, a subtle bend of the wrist, as he adds another layer of colour. Painters are always talking to each other across time, whether they know it or not. And ultimately, I think, painting is about the messy, imperfect process of trying to make sense of the world, one brushstroke at a time.