Le nain

29 de febrero de 1908

Born

1921

“Mitsou” is published with a preface by Rilke

Rilke helps the 13-year-old Balthus publish his first work, a wordless novel of forty drawings about a boy who loses his beloved cat, and writes a preface for it. The story foreshadows the artist’s lifelong fascination with cats and his sense of loss.

1934

First exhibition at Galerie Pierre in Paris

Balthus’s first exhibition, at Galerie Pierre, causes a scandal; the works shown include The Guitar Lesson (1934), as well as The Street, Cathy Dressing and Alice (all 1933).

1938

Exhibits at the Pierre Matisse Gallery in New York

After the Paris scandal, Balthus exhibits at the Pierre Matisse Gallery in New York, where his work will be shown until 1977, although he never visits the United States.

1961

Appointed director of the French Academy in Rome

The Minister of Culture André Malraux appoints Balthus director of the French Academy at the Villa Medici, and he moves to Rome, where he befriends the filmmaker Federico Fellini and the painter Renato Guttuso.

18 de febrero de 2001

Died