“Getting Up,” created by Balthus in 1955, is an oil painting on canvas that measures 130.4 by 161 centimeters. This piece is categorized within the Expressionism art movement and falls under the genre of nude paintings (nu). It is currently housed at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh, UK.
The artwork portrays a nude figure of a woman in the act of rising from a bed, her posture imbued with a striking sense of motion and presence. Her gaze is directed upward, suggesting a moment of contemplation or aspiration. The loose, somewhat amorphous drapery of the bed contrasts with the firm lines of her form, enhancing the visual tension and emotional depth. The use of muted tones and soft lighting further emphasizes the introspective and evocative mood of the piece. The subdued background serves to draw the viewer’s attention to the central figure, highlighting the expressive nature of the human form and the emotional narrative embedded within the composition.
