What do Balthus’ paintings of adolescence reveal ? Using Ph. Gutton’s recent book, Balthus et les jeunes filles ou le dévoilement du féminin, the painter’s work will be viewed in light of the issue of pubertary feminine metamorphosis. For like the psychoanalyst, the artist seems to understand that the pubertary feminine arises in the context of phallic infantile femininity. We also put ourselves in the place of Balthus’ young models, wondering what they are dreaming of.

Adolescence, 2015, 33, 1, 207-217.