Cats and Girls painting by Balthus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cats and Girls painting by Balthus - Essay Example The essay "Cats and Girls painting by Balthus" explores Balthus's Cats and Girls painting. Farago in his article expresses similar misunderstanding where he likens the current state of media with Bathus’ works. Hence, implying for anything to have adequate and sizable audience ought to exhibit a certain degree of nudity though based on Bathus’ works the nudity of small girls could only being in the minds of pervert people. According to Bathus, his characters comprised of girls barely out of puberty whereby those who viewed them ought not to entertain thoughts of nudity that could attract somebody sexually because they were all children. This perception did not convince numerous scholars and especially viewers whereby some termed certain portraits extremely disturbing. Hence, prompting Metropolitan Museum of Art choose certain section solely for those works that were provocative such that viewers especially those with children could not visit towards those sections (Smit h). Smith in his article speaks plainly referring Bathus’ preference of depicting nude adolescents as â€Å"infatuation† irrespective of their age. Since, compared to varied mediums used by other artists he tends to exhibit unequaled preference of young nude girls though in his work they seem naà ¯ve and unaware of any strangeness of exposing themselves. Similarly, Gensler towards the end of his article contends Bathus’ images contrary to what he may imply; relay erotic content mostly associated with wicked imagination. especially when staring at teen girls. The affirmation of this is evident with the presence of a cat though to numerous viewers they may end up taking its presence literally but according to Gensler, it is a deeper assertion of sexuality. Hence, violating children’s privacy and sexuality whereby in the latter trying to exhibit a man can at will â€Å"access† budding womanhood (Gensler). This is highest level of provocation despite the artist trying to imply literally encompasses naivety of little girls and their love for cats. Conversely, Magada-Ward despite finding Bathus’ works depicting unequaled provocation especially concerning the sexuality of young girls; she adopts point that is more neutral by comparing what other interpreters have cited about true intend of the artist. Since, this is what matters despite viewers bearing their own interpretations. In her interpretation while taking care of layperson’s perspective, Bathus through his works he presents the age gap when a girl is trying to discover herself before entering to full womanhood (Magada-Ward 26). Hence, the presence of mirrors that serve the purposes of â€Å"metaphors for the pleasure of self-recognition3† and â€Å"vehicles for self-comprehension4† whose presence in the artworks is imagery as a reflection of one’s status similar to the girls once they are studying themselves (Magada-Ward 26). Magada-Ward b esides analyzing Bathu’s implication, she offers her interpretation and criticism that almost aligns with that of layperson though hers is a bit mild. This is because of her recognition that artworks play the role of arousing people’s tensions into retaliations, which differ across individuals based on morals and what one deems to be