Bust of the young girl

Balthus’s Bust of the young girl (c.1965) exemplifies the artist’s refined approach to portraiture, blending elements of Expressionism with a classical sensibility. Executed as a sketch and study, the work reveals a mastery of pencil technique on paper, capturing both delicate features and subtle emotional depth. The title indicates a focused depiction of a youthful subject’s bust, emphasizing form and character. Balthus’s style, situated between realism and modernist influences, highlights intimate human presence through controlled yet expressive line work and shading.