The artwork titled “Figure in Front of a Mantel” was created by Balthus in 1955. This piece, executed in oil on canvas, belongs to the Expressionist and Surrealist art movements. Measuring 75 x 64.5 cm, it is classified as a genre painting.
The artwork presents a scene of a young figure standing in front of an ornate mantel, engaged in the act of adjusting their hair. The background comprises a patterned wall, indicative of an interior setting, with muted colors and geometric shapes enhancing the surreal quality of the scene. The figure is nude, depicted in a side profile, with elongated limbs and a serene demeanor, characteristic of Balthus’s distinctive style. The composition carefully balances elements of realism and dream-like abstraction, inviting contemplation and reflection on the mundane act captured in an extraordinary manner.
