The artwork entitled “The Moth,” created by the artist Balthus in the year 1960, is a canvas and tempera piece that exemplifies the Expressionism art movement. With dimensions of 162 x 130 cm, this genre painting resides in the Georges Pompidou Center in Paris, France.
In “The Moth,” Balthus captures a scene imbued with a serene yet mysterious atmosphere. The composition presents a nearly nude figure, a young woman, standing in a dimly lit interior space. The detailed portrayal of the female form, bathed in the soft glow of a nearby oil lamp, creates a tender interplay of light and shadow. The woman appears engaged, her hand reaching out towards a small moth fluttering around the light source. The room is decorated with checkered textiles and various objects, which add depth and texture to the scene. The stilled moment conveys a sense of quiet introspection and delicate interaction with the environment, evoking the introspective qualities characteristic of Expressionism.
