Balthus's 1959 painting 'The Moth' held at Centre Pompidou's Musée National d'Art Moderne

Created in 1959, Balthus's artwork 'The Moth' measures 63.75 by 51.25 inches and is crafted using casein tempera on canvas. In 1985, André and Henriette Gomès donated this notable mid-career work to the Musée National d'Art Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou. This piece exemplifies Balthus's mysterious style and explores the complex interplay of innocence and eroticism in youthful subjects, enhancing the museum's collection of post-war European paintings. Balthus, whose full name is Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, had a contentious career, and his art continues to spark debate regarding representation. The copyright for the image is held by the artist's estate. This information was shared by Artcritical on December 23, 2013.