“The Child with Pigeons” is a genre painting by Balthus, created circa 1959. This expressionist artwork, rendered in oil on canvas, measures 162 by 130.8 centimeters. It depicts a young child in a serene, domestic setting.
In the artwork, a child is positioned beside a table adorned with a checkered tablecloth and potted plants. The child, dressed in a garment with contrast trim, delicately tends to the plants with a watering can. Behind the child, a large window captures the muted silhouette of pigeons, providing a gentle sense of movement and life. The room’s warm, earthy tones, combined with the soft light filtering through the window and the lush curtain draped to one side, evoke a peaceful, contemplative atmosphere. The overall composition reflects the introspective and expressive qualities characteristic of Balthus’s style within the Expressionist movement.
