The artwork, titled “Nude with Cat,” is an oil on canvas painting created in 1949 by the artist Balthus. It is associated with the Expressionism movement and is a nude painting (nu). The dimensions of the artwork are 80.5 by 65.1 centimeters, and it is housed in the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, Australia.
The artwork depicts a reclining nude female figure in a relaxed and somewhat languid pose, draped over a chair with her head tilted back and one arm extended. To her left, a cat lies beside a surface, adding an element of quiet domesticity to the scene. In the background, a figure appears to be exiting or entering through a doorway, contributing a sense of narrative or additional dimension to the composition. The overall tone of the painting is subdued and introspective, with warm, muted colors and soft lighting typical of the Expressionist movement, emphasizing emotional depth and the human condition.
