“The Cat in the Mirror” is an artwork by Balthus, created circa 1978 using oil on canvas. It falls within the Expressionism movement and measures 170 x 180 cm. The artwork is a nude painting depicting a young girl and a cat, and it is currently housed in a private collection.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a serene and contemplative scene. Central to the piece is the figure of a young girl, nude, reclining on a bed adorned with a patterned blanket. She holds a small, handheld mirror up to her face with her left hand, peering into it with an enigmatic expression. Her posture is relaxed, with one leg extended down to a small wooden step.
To her right, a cat, appearing to be engaged or perhaps intrigued by the girl’s actions, sits atop a stack of patterned cushions. The use of colors and textures in the background gives the entire composition a dreamlike, almost ethereal quality, characteristic of the Expressionist movement. The careful detailing of the various fabrics and the interaction between the characters imbue the scene with a sense of intimate tranquility.
Overall, Balthus’s “The Cat in the Mirror” is a contemplative piece that captures a fleeting, introspective moment, blending the simplicity of the scene with layers of texture and emotion.
