The artwork titled “Girl on a White Horse,” created by Balthus in 1941, is affiliated with the Expressionism art movement and exemplifies the genre painting category.
In the artwork, a young girl is depicted riding a stately white horse. The girl appears calm and composed, her posture upright as she gently holds the reins. The horse’s pristine white coat stands out against a muted, somewhat somber background, which includes dilapidated structures and an uneven pathway. The lighting in the painting accentuates the contours and musculature of the horse, as well as the flowing, delicate lines of the girl’s hair and clothing. The overall mood conveyed by the painting is one of serene introspection amidst a backdrop of quiet desolation.
