Title: For Balthus Fans, Obviously
Review: It's certainly the definitive biography of Balthus, although -- as others have noted -- the author becomes too annoyed at the stories Balthus weaves in and out of their conversations. I believe the author is at first seduced by Balthus, and then feels betrayed as he discoves the "truth". Balthus is still right though. It matters not what he says; the only thing that matters is his art. If you are anxious to learn about the person this is an excellent book to read. Balthus and Lucien Freud are the two greatest living 20th century painters. That alone makes any scholarly work (and this is one) interesting. Even with the author somewhat in the way.
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