PhotoThe Metropolitan Museum of Art will not remove a controversial painting by the French painter known as Balthus from public display. The painting, entitled “Thérèse Dreaming” (1938), depicts a young girl in a suggestive pose that leaves her underwear visible. An online petition containing over 8,000 signatures on Monday urged the museum to rethink its decision to include the painting in its offerings. “Thérèse Dreaming” is not the only painting by Balthus, born Balthasar Klossowski, that portrays girls and adolescents in a controversial manner. “Girl with Cat,” which is on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, uses the same subject and pose as “Thérèse Dreaming,” while his painting “Young Girl in a White Shirt” shows a teenager with her breasts exposed.

Source: New York Times December 04, 2017 23:48 UTC