Landscape with Oxen
1934 Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
About this artwork
This oil on canvas painting depicts a somber rural landscape featuring a large ox in the foreground, a lone figure, and a village nestled in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains under a muted sky. It is an early work by Balthus, demonstrating his distinct figurative approach to landscape.
Did you know?
Balthus, born Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, was an enigmatic artist who largely distanced himself from contemporary art movements, preferring to engage with classical and pre-Renaissance art. This landscape, while seemingly straightforward, carries the characteristic solemnity and psychological depth often found in his more controversial figure studies, showcasing his early mastery of traditional themes before he became widely known for his depictions of pubescent girls.
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Landscape with Oxen
Balthus, 1934
