Flowers and Pomegranates, 1965

 

Monogrammed and dated ‘B. / Rome janvier 65’.

Watercolor.

16 1/4 x 19 inches (420 x 490mm.).

 

Provenance:

Henriette Gomès Collection, Paris.

André Gomes. Paris; Briest, June 17, 1997, lot 14.

Private Collection, Paris.

 

Literature:

J. Clair and V. Monnier, Balthus: Catalogue raisonné de l’oeuvre complet, Paris, 1999, p. 326, no. D1075, illustrated.

 

Exhibited:

Paris, Galerie Henriette Gomès, Balthus, June 1966.

London, Tate Gallery, Balthus, October 4 – November 10, 1968, p. 97, no. 84, illustrated.

Spoleto, Festival dei due Mondi, Palazzo Racani-Arroni, Balthus: disegni e aquarelle, June 22 – July 31 1982, p. 86, no. 90, illustrated.

Andros, Musée d’art moderne, Fondation Basil and Elise Goulandris, Balthus, dessins, aquarelles, huiles, June 30 – September 17, 1990,p. 99, no. 74, illustrated.

Rome, Villa Medicis, Balthus à la Villa Medicis, October 8 – November 18, 1990, p. 141.

Lausanne, Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts, Balthus, May 29 – August 29 1993.

Berne, Kunstmuseum, Balthus, Zeichmungen, June 18 - September 4, 1994, p. 81, no. 57, Illustrated.

 

 

This drawing was executed during Balthus’ sojourn in Rome from 1961-77 while he was the director of the Academie de Franceat the Villa Medici. There are two detail studies from the same year: a study for the vase with a rose and a study for a single pomegranate, both from the collection of Lorenzo Tornabuoni, Rome, which led to this final sheet.[1]

 

[1]J. Clair and V. Monnier, op. cit.,pg. 453, nos. cc1497/1 and cc1497/2.