The artwork titled “The Victim,” created by Balthus in 1938, is aligned with the Expressionism art movement and belongs to the genre of nude painting (nu).
In this solemn and evocative piece, the artist portrays a nude figure reclined in a vulnerable position on a white draped surface. The figure’s body lies diagonally across the canvas, creating a dynamic yet somber composition. The use of muted tones and the soft, contemplative lighting further accentuates the melancholic mood conveyed through the relaxed yet lifeless posture of the subject. Balthus’s meticulous attention to the interplay of light and shadow skillfully highlights the contours and textures of the human form, enhancing the emotional depth and intensity of the work.
